Shloka 84
Śiva-nāma-sahasraka-kathana
The Recital/Teaching of the Thousand Names of Śiva
अघोरोऽनुत्तरो यज्ञः श्रेयो निःश्रेयसप्रदः । शैलो गगनकुंदाभो दानवारिररिंदमः
aghoro'nuttaro yajñaḥ śreyo niḥśreyasapradaḥ | śailo gaganakuṃdābho dānavārirariṃdamaḥ
He is Aghora, the unsurpassed Sacrifice. He is the auspicious good and the bestower of niḥśreyasa, final liberation. He is the mountain-like Lord, radiant as the sky and the jasmine blossom, the subduer of the gods’ enemies, the crusher of the Daityas’ foes.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Āghoramūrti
Sthala Purana: Not tied to a single Jyotirliṅga; the verse frames Śiva as the very yajña and as niḥśreyasa-prada (mokṣa-giver), a pan-Indian liturgical theme used at Jyotirliṅga shrines.
Significance: Promises niḥśreyasa (final beatitude): in Siddhānta terms, Śiva’s anugraha removes āṇava-mala and grants liberation beyond mere worldly śreyas.
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
Offering: dhupa
FAQs
The verse identifies Shiva as both the highest auspicious good (śreyas) and the giver of niḥśreyasa—final liberation—showing that devotion to Shiva culminates not only in worldly welfare but in moksha through His grace.
By praising Shiva’s luminous, pure form (gaganakuṃdābha) and His benevolent Aghora aspect, the verse supports Saguna worship—especially of the Jyotirlinga—where the devotee contemplates His radiance and approaches Him as the living presence of the Supreme.
Use this as a dhyāna-stuti during Linga-puja: recite with the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), offer water and bilva leaves, and meditate on Shiva as the inner yajña who destroys inner ‘danava’ tendencies (ego, anger, delusion) and grants liberation.