Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 95

Śiva-nāma-sahasraka-kathana

The Recital/Teaching of the Thousand Names of Śiva

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मचारी लोकचारी धर्मचारी धनाधिपः । नन्दी नंदीश्वरोऽनंतो नग्नव्रतधरश्शुचिः

Transliteration

brahmacārī lokacārī dharmacārī dhanādhipaḥ | nandī naṃdīśvaro'naṃto nagnavratadharaśśuciḥ

Translation

彼は梵行を守る苦行者、諸世界を自在に巡る者。ダルマに歩み、財宝の主でもある。彼はナンディ、ナンディーシュヴァラ、無限なる者—清浄にして、裸形の誓い（徹底した離欲のしるし）を担う。

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मचारी: celibate student; one practicing brahmacarya
• ब्रह्मचारी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्म + चारिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: ब्रह्मणि/ब्रह्मस्य चारिन् (one who practices brahmacarya)

• लोकचारी: wanderer in the worlds
• लोकचारी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक + चारिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: लोके चारिन् (one who moves in the worlds)

• धर्मचारी: practitioner of dharma
• धर्मचारी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म + चारिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: धर्मे चारिन् (one who practices dharma)

• धनाधिपः: lord of wealth
• धनाधिपः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन + अधिप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: धनस्य अधिपः

• नन्दी: Nandī
• नन्दी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नन्दिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; इन्-प्रत्ययान्त (proper name)

• नन्दीश्वरः: Nandīśvara (lord named Nandī)
• नन्दीश्वरः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नन्दी + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: नन्दिनः ईश्वरः / नन्दी-नामक ईश्वरः

• अनन्तः: endless, infinite
• अनन्तः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• नग्नव्रतधरः: bearer of the naked vow
• नग्नव्रतधरः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नग्नव्रत + धर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: नग्नव्रतं धरति इति (bearer of the naked-vow)

• शुचिः: pure, clean
• शुचिः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुचि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Bhikṣāṭana

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Nandi

FAQs

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

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.

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

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.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

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.