Shloka 41

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

लोककर्ता भूतपतिर् महाकर्ता महौषधी उत्तरो गोपतिर्गोप्ता ज्ञानगम्यः पुरातनः

Transliteration

lokakartā bhūtapatir mahākartā mahauṣadhī uttaro gopatirgoptā jñānagamyaḥ purātanaḥ

Translation

ಅವನು ಲೋಕಕರ್ತ, ಭೂತಪತಿ, ಮಹಾಕರ್ತ; ಅವನೇ ಮಹೌಷಧಿ—ಪರಮ ಔಷಧಿತತ್ತ್ವ. ಅವನು ಉತ್ತಮ/ಉತ್ತರ, ಗೋಪತಿ ಮತ್ತು ಗೋಪ್ತ; ಜ್ಞಾನದಿಂದ ಗಮ್ಯ, ಪುರಾತನ ಆದಿದೇವ।

Word by Word

• लोककर्ता: maker of the worlds

• भूतपतिः: lord of beings/elements (Pati of bhūtas)

• महाकर्ता: the great creator/doer

• महौषधी: the great medicine/supreme healing herb

• उत्तरो: the higher/transcendent one

• गोपतिः: lord of cows (and protector of dharma)

• गोप्ता: protector/guardian

• ज्ञानगम्यः: reachable through knowledge (jñāna)

• पुरातनः: the ancient, primordial one

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva Sahasranama to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It frames the Linga as the cosmic Pati—creator, protector, and primal reality—so worship is not merely ritual but alignment with the transcendent Lord who heals and sustains all beings.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Shiva is presented as Pati (Bhūtapati), both immanent (world-maker, protector) and transcendent (Uttara), and ultimately knowable through jñāna—indicating liberation of the paśu from pāśa through right knowledge and grace.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes jñāna as the direct means (jñāna-gamyaḥ): in Pāśupata-oriented practice, Linga-pūjā is paired with inner discernment and contemplation of Shiva as the supreme healer and protector.