Shloka 23

Śiva-nāma-sahasraka-kathana

The Recital/Teaching of the Thousand Names of Śiva

Devanagari script

दुर्लभो दुर्गमो दुर्गः सर्वायुधविशारदः । अध्यात्मयोगनिलयः सुतंतुस्तंतुवर्धनः

Transliteration

durlabho durgamo durgaḥ sarvāyudhaviśāradaḥ | adhyātmayoganilayaḥ sutaṃtustaṃtuvardhanaḥ

Translation

അവൻ ദുർലഭൻ, ദുർഗമൻ; എങ്കിലും അവൻ തന്നെയാണ് അജേയ ദുർഗാശ്രയം. എല്ലാ ആയുധങ്ങളിലും പ്രാവീണ്യം ഉള്ളവൻ. അവൻ അധ്യാത്മയോഗത്തിന്റെ നിവാസം; സൂക്ഷ്മ തന്തുവും, വിശ്വതന്തുവിനെ വർധിപ്പിച്ച് ധരിക്കുന്നവനും।

Word by Word

• दुर्लभः: hard to obtain
• दुर्लभः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुर् + लभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—दुर् + लभ (hard to obtain)

• दुर्गमः: hard to reach
• दुर्गमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुर् + गम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—दुर् + गम (hard to reach)

• दुर्गः: difficult (to overcome)
• दुर्गः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (सदाशिवः)

• सर्वायुधविशारदः: skilled in all weapons
• सर्वायुधविशारदः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व + आयुध + विशारद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—सर्वाणि आयुधानि (कर्मधारय/द्विगु-भाव) + विशारदः; अर्थतः—सर्वायुधेषु विशारदः (सप्तमी-तत्पुरुष)

• अध्यात्मयोगनिलयः: abode of spiritual yoga
• अध्यात्मयोगनिलयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अध्यात्म + योग + निलय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—अध्यात्मयोगस्य निलयः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• सुतन्तुः: having a good thread/line; well-woven
• सुतन्तुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + तन्तु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः—सु (good) + तन्तुः (thread/line)

• तन्तुवर्धनः: increaser of the thread/lineage
• तन्तुवर्धनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तन्तु + वर्धन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तन्तोः वर्धनः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Īśāna

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: The verse frames Śiva as simultaneously durgama (hard to approach) and durga (the fortress/refuge). In Jyotirliṅga-stuti usage, this supports the idea that the liṅga is both transcendent (not grasped by ordinary means) and immanent as a protective sanctuary for pilgrims.

Significance: Encourages inner approach through adhyātma-yoga rather than mere external seeking; reinforces that refuge in Śiva is the true ‘fortress’ against saṃsāric fear.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse presents Shiva as simultaneously transcendent (hard to attain by mere intellect) and immanent (the inner seat of adhyatma-yoga). In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, Pati (Shiva) alone grants grace by which the bound soul (pashu) crosses limitation and attains liberation.

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

Calling Shiva “durgah” (invincible refuge) supports Saguna worship—approaching Him through a tangible focus like the Linga—while “adhyatma-yoga-nilayah” affirms that true realization culminates inwardly, where the same Shiva is recognized as the indwelling Lord.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with inward contemplation (adhyatma-yoga), treating Shiva as the inner thread of awareness; this can be paired with traditional Shaiva observances like Tripundra (bhasma) and Rudraksha as supports to steadiness and devotion.