Shloka 111

Śiva-nāma-sahasraka-kathana

The Recital/Teaching of the Thousand Names of Śiva

Devanagari script

देवप्रियो देवनाथो देवको देवचिंतकः । विषमाक्षो विरूपाक्षो वृषदो वृषवर्धनः

Transliteration

devapriyo devanātho devako devaciṃtakaḥ | viṣamākṣo virūpākṣo vṛṣado vṛṣavardhanaḥ

Translation

He is beloved of the gods and the Lord of the gods, the Divine One ever intent on the welfare of the devas. He is the unequal-eyed, the wondrous Lord of many eyes; the giver of Dharma and the increaser of Dharma.

Word by Word

• देवप्रियः: dear to the gods
• देवप्रियः: Visheshana (विशेषण/नाम)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: देव + प्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (देवानां प्रियः)

• देवनाथः: lord of the gods
• देवनाथः: Karta (कर्ता/नाम)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव + नाथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (देवानां नाथः)

• देवकः: Devaka (name/epithet)
• देवकः: Karta (कर्ता/नाम)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• देवचिन्तकः: one who thinks of the gods / divine contemplator
• देवचिन्तकः: Karta (कर्ता/नाम)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव + चिन्तक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (देवस्य/देवानां चिन्तकः)

• विषमाक्षः: uneven-eyed
• विषमाक्षः: Visheshana (विशेषण/नाम)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विषम + अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (विषमं अक्षं यस्य)

• विरूपाक्षः: odd/varied-eyed (Virūpākṣa)
• विरूपाक्षः: Visheshana (विशेषण/नाम)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विरूप + अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (विरूपं अक्षं यस्य)

• वृषदः: giver of strength/bull (epithet)
• वृषदः: Karta (कर्ता/नाम)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृष + द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (वृषं ददाति)

• वृषवर्धनः: increaser of strength/bull
• वृषवर्धनः: Karta (कर्ता/नाम)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृष + वर्धन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (वृषस्य वर्धनः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Īśāna

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

This verse praises Shiva as Pati—the supreme Lord who protects the cosmic order by sustaining the devas and increasing Dharma, pointing the devotee toward trust, surrender, and righteous living as supports for liberation.

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

These epithets describe Saguna Shiva—knowable through names, forms, and qualities—making Linga worship and name-chanting effective means to approach the transcendent Lord who nevertheless compassionately upholds the world.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Chant these names as japa (especially alongside the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and contemplate Shiva as the giver and increaser of Dharma, aligning one’s conduct with righteousness as a daily sadhana.