Shloka 63

Vyāsotpatti-kathana

Account of the Birth/Origin of Vyāsa

Devanagari script

प्रसन्नवदनेशं वा धर्म्मेशं तारकेश्वरम् । नन्दिकेशं निवासेशं पत्रीशं प्रीतिकेश्वरम्

Transliteration

prasannavadaneśaṃ vā dharmmeśaṃ tārakeśvaram | nandikeśaṃ nivāseśaṃ patrīśaṃ prītikeśvaram

Translation

Or one may worship (Śiva) by remembering these sacred names: the Lord of the serene-faced one, the Lord of Dharma, Tāreśvara, the Lord of Nandin, the Lord of Abode, Patrīśa, and Prītikeśvara.

Word by Word

• प्रसन्नवदनेशम्: Prasannavadaneśa (Lord with a serene face)
• प्रसन्नवदनेशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रसन्न-वदन-ईश (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (प्रसन्नं वदनं यस्य/प्रसन्नवदनस्य ईशः)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha/Particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक निपात

• धर्म्मेशम्: Dharmeśa (Lord of dharma)
• धर्म्मेशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म-ईश (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (धर्मस्य ईशः)

• तारकेश्वरम्: Tārakeśvara (Lord of Tāraka)
• तारकेश्वरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तारक-ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (तारकस्य ईश्वरः)

• नन्दिकेशम्: Nandikeśa (a name of Śiva)
• नन्दिकेशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नन्दि-केश (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (नन्दिनः केशः/नन्दिकेशः—नाम)

• निवासेशम्: Nivāseśa (Lord of abode/dwelling)
• निवासेशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निवास-ईश (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (निवासस्य ईशः)

• पत्रीशम्: Patrīśa (Lord of leaves/winged one; name)
• पत्रीशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पत्रिन्/पत्री-ईश (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (पत्रिणः/पत्र्याः ईशः)

• प्रीतिकेश्वरम्: Prītikeśvara (Lord of affection/joy; name)
• प्रीतिकेश्वरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रीति-केश्वर (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (प्रीतेः केश्वरः/ईश्वरः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: These epithets emphasize Śiva’s relational presence: as Nandikeśa (linked to Nandin), Dharmmeśa (lord of dharma), and names connoting benevolence (prasanna-vadana). They reflect the Purāṇic idea that kṣetra-liṅgas embody specific modes of grace and guardianship.

Significance: Meditating on Śiva as Dharmmeśa and Prasannavadaneśa frames pilgrimage as moral purification and receiving prasāda (grace) rather than mere merit-accumulation.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Ritual Elements

Offering: dipa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Nandi
• Dharma

FAQs

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

The verse emphasizes nāma-smaraṇa (remembrance of Śiva’s names) as a direct, accessible form of devotion where the devotee approaches Pati (Śiva) through reverent epithets that reveal His lordship and grace.

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

By listing specific divine names, it supports saguna-upāsanā—worship of Śiva with attributes—commonly practiced alongside Liṅga worship, where the devotee offers mantra and names to the Liṅga as the manifest focus of the Supreme.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Chant these names as japa (aloud or mentally), ideally during Liṅga-pūjā with offerings such as water and bilva leaves, keeping the mind steady in Śiva-bhakti.