Shloka 92

वासिष्ठकथनम् (आदित्य–सोमवंशवर्णनम् तथा रुद्रसहस्रनाम-प्रशंसा)

Devanagari script

समीरो दमनाकारो ह्य् अर्थो ह्यर्थकरो वशः वासुदेवश् च देवश् च वामदेवश् च वामनः

Transliteration

samīro damanākāro hy artho hyarthakaro vaśaḥ vāsudevaś ca devaś ca vāmadevaś ca vāmanaḥ

Translation

அவரே சமீரன்—அனைத்து உயிர்களையும் இயக்கும் உயிர்வாயு; அவரே தமனாகாரன்—பந்தத்தை ஒழுங்குபடுத்தும் வடிவன். அவரே அர்த்தம், அர்த்தகரன்—உண்மைப் பயனை அளிப்பவன்; அவரே வசன்—ஆட்சி வல்லமை உடைய ஆண்டவன். அவரே வாசுதேவன், தெய்வத் தேவன்; அவரே வாமதேவன், மங்கள முகத்தவன்; அவரே வாமனன்—உலகங்களைத் தன்னுள் அளந்து தாங்குபவன்।

Word by Word

• समीरो (samīraḥ): the wind/breath, vital life-current

• दमनाकारः (damanākāraḥ): whose form is subduing/disciplining, the tamer of passions and bonds

• अर्थः (arthaḥ): meaning, purpose, the true aim (puruṣārtha) and reality

• अर्थकरः (arthakaraḥ): bestower/producer of purpose and prosperity, granter of right fruition

• वशः (vaśaḥ): mastery, the one who brings all under control (lordship)

• वासुदेवः (vāsudevaḥ): indwelling Lord of all beings, all-pervading deity

• देवः (devaḥ): the shining God, the luminous one

• वामदेवः (vāmadevaḥ): the auspicious/benign aspect of Shiva (Vāmadeva-mūrti)

• वामनः (vāmanaḥ): the measurer/one of subtle stride, the one who pervades by measured steps

Speaker

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

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

This verse supports Linga-worship through nāma-japa: by praising Shiva as the indwelling Wind (prāṇa) and the Lord of mastery, the devotee aligns the pashu (soul) toward Pati (Shiva), weakening pasha (bondage) through remembrance.

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

It presents Shiva as both immanent and transcendent—moving as life-breath (Samīra), governing karmic fruition (Artha/Arthakara), and containing the cosmos (Vāmana), while also revealing His gentle salvific aspect (Vāmadeva).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Pashupata-oriented practice of nāma-japa with prāṇa-awareness: contemplating Shiva as Samīra encourages regulated breath and inner discipline (damanākāra), supporting mastery over senses and bonds.