Shloka 29

भस्म–रुद्राक्ष–शिवनाममाहात्म्य

The Greatness of Bhasma, Rudrākṣa, and the Name of Śiva

Devanagari script

शिवनामतरीं प्राप्य संसाराब्धिं तरंति ये । संसारमूलपापानि तानि नश्यंत्यसंशयम्

Transliteration

śivanāmatarīṃ prāpya saṃsārābdhiṃ taraṃti ye | saṃsāramūlapāpāni tāni naśyaṃtyasaṃśayam

Translation

Having obtained the ferry of Śiva’s Name, those who embark upon it cross the ocean of saṃsāra; and the root-sins that generate worldly bondage are destroyed—without any doubt.

Word by Word

शिवनामतरीम्the boat of Shiva’s name

प्राप्यhaving obtained

संसाराब्धिम्the ocean of worldly existence

तरन्तिcross

येthose who

संसारमूलपापानिsins rooted in worldly existence

तानिthose (sins)

नश्यन्तिperish

असंशयम्undoubtedly

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Rāmeśvara

Sthala Purana: Rāmeśvara is famed for crossing motifs (setu/bridge) and purification; the verse’s ‘ferry of Śiva’s Name’ resonates with the Setu idea—Śiva as the means to cross saṃsāra.

Significance: Crossing saṃsāra through devotion; nāma as setu/boat that carries the soul beyond bondage.

Mantra Metadata

Type: panchakshara

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that Śiva’s Name functions as a liberating means (upāya): sincere nāma-japa carries the devotee beyond saṃsāra and burns the karmic roots that sustain bondage.

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

In Saguna worship, the Linga is a primary focus for devotion; this verse highlights that even without elaborate rites, devotion expressed as Śiva-nāma (often done before the Linga) purifies and leads toward liberation.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Regular Shiva-nāma japa—especially the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—done with steadiness and devotion (optionally with rudrākṣa and vibhūti/Tripuṇḍra) is the implied practice.