Shloka 61

वासिष्ठकथनम् (आदित्य–सोमवंशवर्णनम् तथा रुद्रसहस्रनाम-प्रशंसा)

Devanagari script

सहस्राक्षो विशालाक्षः सोमो नक्षत्रसाधकः चन्द्रः सूर्यः शनिः केतुर् ग्रहो ग्रहपतिर्मतः

Transliteration

sahasrākṣo viśālākṣaḥ somo nakṣatrasādhakaḥ candraḥ sūryaḥ śaniḥ ketur graho grahapatirmataḥ

Translation

അവൻ സഹസ്രാക്ഷൻ, വിശാലാക്ഷൻ; അവൻ സോമൻ, നക്ഷത്രങ്ങളുടെ സാധക-നിയന്താവ്. അവൻ ചന്ദ്രനും സൂര്യനും; അവൻ ശനിയും കേതുവും. അവൻ ഗ്രഹതത്ത്വം തന്നെയും, ഗ്രഹപതിയായി കണക്കാക്കപ്പെടുന്നു.

Word by Word

• सहस्राक्षः: thousand-eyed (all-seeing)

• विशालाक्षः: wide-eyed, vast in vision

• सोमः: Soma, lunar divinity/nectar principle

• नक्षत्रसाधकः: accomplisher/regulator of the nakṣatras (lunar mansions), establisher of their order

• चन्द्रः: the Moon

• सूर्यः: the Sun

• शनिः: Saturn

• केतुः: Ketu (lunar node/comet-like graha)

• ग्रहः: the graha principle, cosmic seizer/influencer

• ग्रहपतिः: lord of the grahas

• मतः: is held/considered (to be).

Speaker

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

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Soma
• Chandra
• Surya
• Shani
• Ketu

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva as Grahapati—the supreme Pati who rules the grahas and nakshatras—so Linga-puja is presented as worship of the highest regulator of cosmic influences, not merely a remedy within them.

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

Shiva-tattva is shown as all-seeing (sahasrākṣa), all-pervading order (nakṣatra-sādhaka), and sovereign mastery (graha-pati) over forces that bind the pashu through pasha—indicating His supremacy over fate-like determinants.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse supports a Shaiva approach where graha-related afflictions are transcended by centering worship and japa on Shiva’s names (Sahasranama) and stabilizing the mind in Pashupata-oriented devotion to the Pati rather than fear of planetary forces.