Shloka 95
Śiva-nāma-sahasraka-kathana
The Recital/Teaching of the Thousand Names of Śiva
ब्रह्मचारी लोकचारी धर्मचारी धनाधिपः । नन्दी नंदीश्वरोऽनंतो नग्नव्रतधरश्शुचिः
brahmacārī lokacārī dharmacārī dhanādhipaḥ | nandī naṃdīśvaro'naṃto nagnavratadharaśśuciḥ
He is the brahmacārin, the celibate ascetic who roams freely through the worlds; he walks in dharma and is Lord of wealth. He is Nandī, Nandīśvara, the Infinite—pure, and bearer of the vow of nakedness, signifying utter renunciation.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Bhikṣāṭana
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse strings together Shiva’s names to teach that the Supreme Pati is simultaneously the ideal renunciate (brahmacārī, nagnavrata) and the sovereign who governs worldly order and prosperity (dharmacārī, dhanādhipaḥ). In Shaiva Siddhanta, this points to Shiva’s transcendence and immanence—pure, infinite, and yet sustaining dharma for all beings.
These epithets function as saguna (attribute-based) contemplations used in Linga worship: devotees meditate on Shiva’s purity (śuci), infinitude (ananta), and lordship (dhanādhipaḥ) while offering water, bilva, and mantra. The Linga becomes the focal symbol through which the formless Lord is approached via sacred names and qualities.
It suggests vrata-based discipline—especially brahmacarya, purity, and renunciation—paired with japa of Shiva’s names (including the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and devotion to Nandishvara as the ideal of steadfast service and dharmic conduct.