Shloka 76

Śiva-nāma-sahasraka-kathana

The Recital/Teaching of the Thousand Names of Śiva

Devanagari script

आत्मभूरनिरुद्धोऽत्रिर्ज्ञानमूर्तिर्महायशाः । लोकवीराग्रणीर्वीरश्चण्डः सत्यपराक्रमः

Transliteration

ātmabhūraniruddho'trirjñānamūrtirmahāyaśāḥ | lokavīrāgraṇīrvīraścaṇḍaḥ satyaparākramaḥ

Translation

Here (in this sacred account) are named Ātmabhū (Brahmā), Aniruddha, and Atri—along with the great-gloried embodiment of spiritual knowledge; and the foremost hero among the world’s champions, the mighty, the fierce (Caṇḍa), whose valour is founded upon truth.

Word by Word

• आत्मभूः: Self-born (Svayambhū/Brahmā)
• आत्मभूः: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् + भू (भू धातु) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (आत्मनः भूः/स्वयम्भूः)

• अनिरुद्धः: Aniruddha
• अनिरुद्धः: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनिरुद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• अत्रिः: Atri
• अत्रिः: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अत्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• ज्ञानमूर्तिः: embodiment of knowledge
• ज्ञानमूर्तिः: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञान + मूर्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (ज्ञानस्य मूर्तिः)

• महायशाः: of great fame
• महायशाः: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् + यशस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (महद् यशो यस्य सः)

• लोकवीराग्रणीः: leader of the heroes of the world
• लोकवीराग्रणीः: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक + वीर + अग्रणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (लोकवीराणाम् अग्रणीः)

• वीरः: hero
• वीरः: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• चण्डः: fierce
• चण्डः: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• सत्यपराक्रमः: of true valor
• सत्यपराक्रमः: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्य + पराक्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (सत्यः पराक्रमः यस्य/सत्यपराक्रमः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Īśāna

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a jyotirliṅga passage; it blends names of cosmic persons (Ātmabhū/Brahmā), a Vaiṣṇava epithet (Aniruddha), and ṛṣi Atri with Śaiva valuation of jñāna and truth-grounded vīrya—suggesting Śiva’s supremacy integrating other deities/functions.

Significance: General: emphasizes jñāna (saving knowledge) and satya-parākrama (truth-based power) as marks of divine grace leading the paśu toward liberation.

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Aniruddha
• Atri

FAQs

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

The verse functions as a reverential listing of exalted beings and qualities—especially jñāna (spiritual knowledge) and satya (truth)—implying that true greatness and spiritual heroism are grounded in truth and illumined by knowledge, which ultimately supports devotion to Shiva as Pati (the liberating Lord).

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

In Kotirudrasaṃhitā, such enumerations commonly frame the sanctity of Jyotirliṅga narratives: venerable cosmic figures and noble attributes are invoked to establish the authority and purity of the account, guiding devotees toward Saguna Shiva worship through sacred remembrance (smaraṇa) and pilgrimage-oriented devotion.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is nāma-smaraṇa (repetition of holy names) with satya-niṣṭhā (steadfast truthfulness), supported by japa of the Panchākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” as a daily discipline—especially appropriate when studying Jyotirliṅga chapters.