Shloka 18

Śiva-nāma-sahasraka-kathana

The Recital/Teaching of the Thousand Names of Śiva

Devanagari script

धातृधामा धामकरः सर्वगः सर्वगोचरः । ब्रह्मसृग्विश्वसृक्सर्गः कर्णिकारः प्रियः कविः

Transliteration

dhātṛdhāmā dhāmakaraḥ sarvagaḥ sarvagocaraḥ | brahmasṛgviśvasṛksargaḥ karṇikāraḥ priyaḥ kaviḥ

Translation

He is the abode of the Sustainer and the very maker of all splendor; all-pervading, and yet accessible to all. He brings forth Brahmā, brings forth the universe and its unfolding creation; He is the radiant Karṇikāra, the Beloved, and the divine Sage-poet.

Word by Word

• धातृ-धामा: abode/splendour of the creator (Dhātṛ)
• धातृ-धामा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धातृ (प्रातिपदिक) + धामन्/धाम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः

• धाम-करः: maker of radiance
• धाम-करः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धाम (प्रातिपदिक) + कर (√कृ धातु, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (maker of splendour)

• सर्व-गः: all-pervading
• सर्व-गः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + ग (√गम् धातु, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (one who goes everywhere)

• सर्व-गोचरः: accessible to all / having all as sphere
• सर्व-गोचरः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + गोचर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (whose range is everything)

• ब्रह्म-सृक्: creator of Brahmā
• ब्रह्म-सृक्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + सृज् (√सृज् धातु, कृत्-प्रत्ययान्त 'सृक्')
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः; कृत्-प्रत्ययान्त (agent)

• विश्व-सृक्: creator of the universe
• विश्व-सृक्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्व (प्रातिपदिक) + सृज् (√सृज् धातु, कृत्-प्रत्ययान्त 'सृक्')
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः; कृत्-प्रत्ययान्त (agent)

• सर्गः: creation / emanation
• सर्गः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• कर्णिकारः: Karṇikāra (a tree/flower)
• कर्णिकारः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्णिकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• प्रियः: dear
• प्रियः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (adjective)

• कविः: sage/poet
• कविः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कवि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s epithets to the sages at Naimisharanya in the Purana style)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma

FAQs

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

The verse presents Shiva as both transcendent and immanent: the source of cosmic creation (including Brahmā and the sarga) and also “sarvagocara,” directly approachable in devotion and inner realization—aligning with Shaiva Siddhanta where Pati (Shiva) grants grace leading to liberation.

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

These epithets support Saguna worship: devotees approach Shiva through name, form, and symbol (especially the Linga), while remembering that the same Lord is all-pervading (sarvaga) and the inner light (dhāmakara) that sanctifies Jyotirlinga pilgrimage and temple worship.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is nāma-japa and dhyāna: chant “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” or Shiva’s names while contemplating Him as the indwelling light (dhāmakara) present everywhere (sarvaga), offering the fruits of action to Him as the Lord of creation (sarga).