Śiva-nāma-sahasraka-kathana
The Recital/Teaching of the Thousand Names of Śiva
सहस्रबाहुस्सर्वेशश्शरण्यस्सर्वलोकधृक् । पद्मासनः परं ज्योतिः पारम्पर्य्यफलप्रदः
sahasrabāhussarveśaśśaraṇyassarvalokadhṛk | padmāsanaḥ paraṃ jyotiḥ pāramparyyaphalapradaḥ
He is the Thousand-armed Lord of all, the Refuge of all, and the Sustainer of every world. Seated upon the lotus-seat, He is the Supreme Light, bestowing the fruits that come through the sacred lineage of devotion and right tradition.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Mantra: सहस्रबाहुस्सर्वेशश्शरण्यस्सर्वलोकधृक् । पद्मासनः परं ज्योतिः पारम्पर्य्यफलप्रदः
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
The verse praises Shiva as Pati—the Supreme Lord and Refuge—who sustains all worlds and is realized as the “Supreme Light.” In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, surrender to Shiva and steady devotion lead the soul toward grace and liberation.
Calling Shiva the “Supreme Light” aligns with Jyotirlinga theology: the Linga is a saguna support through which devotees approach the transcendent radiance (paraṃ jyotiḥ). Worship performed with faith and right tradition ripens into spiritual fruit.
Take refuge in Shiva through disciplined, traditional practice (paramparā): daily Linga-pūjā with Panchakshara japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and meditation on Shiva as inner light (jyoti) while maintaining purity and devotion.