Shloka 116

Śiva-nāma-sahasraka-kathana

The Recital/Teaching of the Thousand Names of Śiva

Devanagari script

सुप्रीतः सुखदः सूक्ष्मः सुकरो दक्षिणानिलः । नंदिस्कंदो धरो धुर्यः प्रकटः प्रीतिवर्धनः

Transliteration

suprītaḥ sukhadaḥ sūkṣmaḥ sukaro dakṣiṇānilaḥ | naṃdiskaṃdo dharo dhuryaḥ prakaṭaḥ prītivardhanaḥ

Translation

He is supremely gracious and bestows happiness; subtle in essence and easy to approach, like the auspicious southern breeze. He is Skanda, Nandi’s son—the supporter and foremost bearer of duties—manifest, ever increasing the devotees’ joy.

Word by Word

• सु-प्रीतः: very pleased
• सु-प्रीतः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + प्री (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (well-pleased)

• सुख-दः: giver of happiness
• सुख-दः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक) + द (दा धातु-कर्तृवाचक प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (सुखं ददाति)

• सूक्ष्मः: subtle
• सूक्ष्मः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सूक्ष्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सु-करः: easy to do; auspicious-doer
• सु-करः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु (अव्यय/उपसर्ग) + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (सुन्दरः/सुलभः करः)

• दक्षिण-अनिलः: the southern wind
• दक्षिण-अनिलः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्षिण (प्रातिपदिक) + अनिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (दक्षिणः अनिलः)

• नन्दि-स्कन्दः: Nandi and Skanda (as a combined epithet)
• नन्दि-स्कन्दः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नन्दि (प्रातिपदिक) + स्कन्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (नन्दिश्च स्कन्दश्च)

• धरः: supporter; bearer
• धरः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• धुर्यः: fit for the yoke; foremost; capable
• धुर्यः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धुर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• प्रकटः: manifest; evident
• प्रकटः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रकट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• प्रीति-वर्धनः: increaser of joy/affection
• प्रीति-वर्धनः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रीति (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्धन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (प्रीतिं वर्धयति)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Vāmadeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga-specific passage; the imagery of ‘dakṣiṇānila’ (southern breeze) functions as a metaphor for Śiva’s soothing, beneficent presence that refreshes devotees.

Significance: Emphasizes Śiva’s sukaratā (approachability) and prīti-vardhana (increase of devotional joy), encouraging accessible daily worship rather than rarefied austerity alone.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Skanda
• Nandi

FAQs

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

The verse praises Shiva’s dual truth in Shaiva Siddhanta: He is subtle (beyond senses) yet manifest for grace, and devotion to Him increases inner joy and steadiness on the path to liberation.

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

By calling Him both sūkṣma (subtle) and prakaṭa (manifest), the verse supports Linga-worship: the Linga points to the formless reality while also serving as a visible, approachable form for bhakti and daily pūjā.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice nāma-japa (repetition of Shiva’s names) and Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with devotion, contemplating Shiva as both subtle presence within and manifest Lord who grants happiness and steadies the devotee.