Shloka 68

Vyāsotpatti-kathana

Account of the Birth/Origin of Vyāsa

Devanagari script

वरुणेशं विधीशं वा हरिकेशेश्वरन्तु वा । भवानीशं कपर्द्दीशं कन्दुकेश मजेश्वरम्

Transliteration

varuṇeśaṃ vidhīśaṃ vā harikeśeśvarantu vā | bhavānīśaṃ kaparddīśaṃ kandukeśa majeśvaram

Translation

One may worship Śiva as Varuṇeśa, or as Vidhīśa (Lord over Brahmā), or as Harikeśeśvara; likewise as Bhavānīśa (Lord of Bhavānī), as Kaparddīśa (the Lord with matted locks), as Kandukeśa, and as Majeśvara.

Word by Word

• वरुणेशम्: Varuṇeśa
• वरुणेशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वरुण + ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (वरुणस्य ईशः)

• विधीशम्: Vidhīśa
• विधीशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधि + ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (विधेः/ब्रह्मणः ईशः)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक-निपात

• हरिकेशेश्वरम्: Harikeśeśvara
• हरिकेशेश्वरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरिकेश + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (हरिकेशस्य ईश्वरः)

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विरोध/विशेषार्थक-निपात (but/indeed)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक-निपात

• भवानीशम्: Bhavānīśa
• भवानीशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भवानी + ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (भवान्याः ईशः)

• कपर्द्दीशम्: Kapardīśa
• कपर्द्दीशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कपर्दिन्/कपर्दी + ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (कपर्दी ईशः)

• कन्दुकेशम्: Kandukeśa
• कन्दुकेशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कन्दुक + ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (कन्दुकस्य ईशः)

• अजेश्वरम्: Ajeśvara
• अजेश्वरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अज + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (अजस्य ईश्वरः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s names and modes of worship to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: These epithets function as kṣetra- and guṇa-based names (Varuṇeśa, Vidhīśa, Harikeśeśvara, Bhavānīśa, Kaparddīśa), illustrating that the one Śiva is praised through relations: as Lord of waters (Varuṇa), Lord over Brahmā (Vidhī), and as Umāpati/Bhavānīśa emphasizing Śiva-Śakti sovereignty.

Significance: Encourages devotees to recognize Śiva’s supremacy across cosmic offices (over Brahmā/Varuṇa) and His inseparable lordship with Bhavānī—supporting unified devotion across sectarian or regional boundaries.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: liberating

Ritual Elements

Offering: dhupa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati
• Varuna
• Brahma

FAQs

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

It affirms that the one Pati (Lord Śiva) is approachable through many sacred names and forms; by devotion to any such Saguna manifestation, the bound soul (paśu) is led beyond bonds (pāśa) toward grace and liberation.

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

These epithets function as devotional gateways: the devotee may worship the one Śiva in a chosen form while performing Liṅga-pūjā, japa, and stotra—understanding that all names ultimately refer to the same supreme Lord.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Name-japa (nāma-japa) of these Śiva-nāmas—ideally alongside Pañcākṣarī japa ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and simple Liṅga-abhiṣeka with water—supports steady bhakti and one-pointed meditation on Śiva.