Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 51
Śiva-nāma-sahasraka-kathana
The Recital/Teaching of the Thousand Names of Śiva
गुरुदो ललितोऽभेदो भावात्मात्मनि संस्थितः । वीरेश्वरो वीरभद्रो वीरासनविधिर्गुरुः
gurudo lalito'bhedo bhāvātmātmani saṃsthitaḥ | vīreśvaro vīrabhadro vīrāsanavidhirguruḥ
彼はグルを与える者（真の導きを授ける者）であり、優雅で遊戯に満ちた主であり、至高の真理と不二であり、自己の内に留まる神聖な感情の本質である。彼はヴィーレーシュヴァラであり、ヴィーラバドラであり、英雄の坐法（ヴィーラーサナ）の規律を教えるグルである。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Type: stotra
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse identifies Śiva as both the inner Self and the compassionate Guru-principle: non-dual (abheda), established in the ātman, yet accessible through bhāva (devotional disposition). In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, Pati (Śiva) grants right knowledge and grace that loosens pāśa (bondage) for the paśu (soul).
By naming forms like Vīreśvara and Vīrabhadra, it supports Saguna worship—approaching Śiva through specific manifestations—while simultaneously affirming his abheda nature, i.e., the same Lord is ultimately the inner Reality beyond form, also worshipped through the Śiva-liṅga.
It points to meditative steadiness through vīrāsana (a stable yogic seat) under the guidance of the Guru, supporting japa and dhyāna—especially practices aligned with Śaiva devotion such as mantra-recitation (e.g., pañcākṣarī) and contemplative turning inward to the ātman.