Shloka 72

Śiva-nāma-sahasraka-kathana

The Recital/Teaching of the Thousand Names of Śiva

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मगर्भो बृहद्गर्भो धर्मधेनुर्धनागमः । जगद्धितैषी सुगतः कुमारः कुशलागमः

Transliteration

brahmagarbho bṛhadgarbho dharmadhenurdhanāgamaḥ | jagaddhitaiṣī sugataḥ kumāraḥ kuśalāgamaḥ

Translation

He bears within Himself the seed of Brahmā, the vast womb of all existence; the cow of Dharma that yields righteousness, and the source from which true prosperity arises. Ever seeking the welfare of the worlds, He is the auspicious path itself—the divine Youth, Kumāra, the bringer of all that is wholesome and beneficial.

Word by Word

• brahma-garbhaḥ: having Brahman as womb/origin
• brahma-garbhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक) + garbha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—ब्रह्मणः गर्भः/ब्रह्म-सम्बद्धः गर्भः → ब्रह्मगर्भः (तत्पुरुष)

• bṛhad-garbhaḥ: of great womb/origin
• bṛhad-garbhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bṛhat (प्रातिपदिक) + garbha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—बृहन् गर्भः → बृहद्गर्भः (कर्मधारय)

• dharma-dhenuḥ: cow of righteousness (source of dharma)
• dharma-dhenuḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + dhenu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—धर्मस्य धेनुः → धर्मधेनुः (तत्पुरुष)

• dhana-āgamaḥ: source/coming of wealth
• dhana-āgamaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhana (प्रातिपदिक) + āgama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—धनस्य आगमः → धनागमः (तत्पुरुष)

• jagat-hita-eṣī: seeker of the world’s welfare
• jagat-hita-eṣī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jagat (प्रातिपदिक) + hita (प्रातिपदिक) + eṣin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—जगतः हितम् (jagaddhita) + तद् एषी (seeking) → जगद्धितैषी (तत्पुरुष)

• sugataḥ: well-gone; auspicious
• sugataḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sugata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• kumāraḥ: Kumāra (Skanda)
• kumāraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kumāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• kuśala-āgamaḥ: bringer/source of well-being
• kuśala-āgamaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuśala (प्रातिपदिक) + āgama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—कुशलस्य आगमः → कुशलागमः (तत्पुरुष)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadyojāta

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a site-specific (sthala) passage; it functions as a nāma-style theological praise describing Śiva as the causal womb/source behind Brahmā and worldly welfare.

Significance: General phala: contemplation of Śiva as the inner source of creation and dharma is framed as auspicious and welfare-bestowing (jagaddhita).

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Kartikeya

FAQs

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

The verse praises Shiva as Pati—the supreme source who holds creation within Himself, sustains Dharma, and guides beings toward the auspicious path, emphasizing his grace as the ground of welfare (jagad-hita) and liberation.

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

These epithets are used in Saguna worship: the Linga is adored as the manifest sign of the unmanifest Lord who becomes the giver of Dharma and prosperity; chanting such names is a direct devotional approach to Shiva’s compassionate, world-supporting form.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Name-chanting (nāma-japa) of Shiva with devotion—especially alongside Panchakshara japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”)—is implied as a simple practice to cultivate auspiciousness (kuśala) and align one’s life with Dharma.