Shloka 352

Śiva-nāma-smaraṇa and Śambhu’s Protective Manifestation

Dāruka Episode

Devanagari script

ज्योतिर्लिंगस्वरूपो हि नाम्ना नागेश्वरश्शिवः । नागेश्वरी शिवा देवी बभूव च सतां प्रियौ

Transliteration

jyotirliṃgasvarūpo hi nāmnā nāgeśvaraśśivaḥ | nāgeśvarī śivā devī babhūva ca satāṃ priyau

Translation

Indeed, Lord Śiva, in the very form of the Jyotirliṅga, became renowned by the name Nāgeśvara. And the Goddess Śivā, known as Nāgeśvarī, manifested there as well—both becoming beloved of the virtuous and devoted.

Word by Word

• ज्योतिः: light
• ज्योतिः: Visheshana (विशेषण/पूर्वपद)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्योतिस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासपूर्वपद

• लिङ्गस्वरूपः: having the form of the liṅga
• लिङ्गस्वरूपः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लिङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + स्वरूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (लिङ्गस्य स्वरूपः); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘ज्योतिः’ इति पूर्वपदेन सह ‘ज्योतिर्लिङ्गस्वरूपः’ (as one compound phrase)

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: हेतौ/निश्चये अव्यय (particle: indeed/for)

• नाम्ना: by name
• नाम्ना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; करण/प्रकारे (by name)

• नागेश्वरः: Nāgeśvara (Lord of serpents)
• नागेश्वरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाग (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (नागानाम् ईश्वरः); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• शिवः: Śiva
• शिवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘नागेश्वरः’ के अप्पोज़िशन

• नागेश्वरी: Nāgeśvarī (Lady of serpents)
• नागेश्वरी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाग (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश्वरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (नागानाम् ईश्वरी); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• शिवा: Śivā (Pārvatī)
• शिवा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिवा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; अप्पोज़िशन to ‘नागेश्वरी’

• देवी: goddess
• देवी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; अप्पोज़िशन

• बभूव: became/was
• बभूव: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• सताम्: of the virtuous
• सताम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन; सम्बन्ध (of the good)

• प्रियौ: beloved (two)
• प्रियौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; विशेषण (dual) referring to Śiva and Devī together

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Nāgeśvara

Sthala Purana: The verse explicitly identifies Śiva as manifest in Jyotirliṅga-form named Nāgeśvara, and simultaneously establishes the local Devī as Nāgeśvarī—together revered as the beloved protectors of the sādhus.

Significance: Darśana of the Jyotirliṅga as ‘jyotis’ (self-revealing presence) and worship of Nāgeśvarī alongside Nāgeśvara is framed as especially dear to the sat (virtuous), implying protection, purity, and grace.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati
• Nageshvara
• Nageshvari

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

The verse affirms that Śiva reveals Himself as a Jyotirliṅga—an embodied, worshipful manifestation of the Supreme (Pati) accessible to devotees—while the Śakti presence (Nāgeśvarī) completes the sacred field of grace, making the site especially dear to the righteous.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

By naming Śiva as Nāgeśvara in Jyotirliṅga form, the text emphasizes Saguna worship: the infinite Lord is approached through a consecrated form (liṅga) for darśana, pūjā, and mantra-japa, while still pointing to His transcendent light-nature (jyotis).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is Jyotirliṅga pūjā with Panchākṣarī japa ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), combined with reverent remembrance of Śiva-Śakti as Nāgeśvara–Nāgeśvarī; traditional Shaiva supports like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa may accompany daily worship.