Shloka 46

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

शाखो विशाखो गोशाखः शिवो नैकः क्रतुः समः गङ्गाप्लवोदको भावः सकलः स्थपतिः स्थिरः

Transliteration

śākho viśākho gośākhaḥ śivo naikaḥ kratuḥ samaḥ gaṅgāplavodako bhāvaḥ sakalaḥ sthapatiḥ sthiraḥ

Translation

ఆయన శాఖ, విశాఖ, గోశాఖ—బహుశాఖలుగా విస్తరించి గోవులను రక్షించువాడు; శివుడు, అయినా ఏకత్వానికే పరిమితుడు కాదు. ఆయన క్రతు—వైదిక యజ్ఞశక్తి—మరియు సముడు, సమదృష్టి; గంగాప్లావనపు పవిత్ర జలం, భావతత్త్వం; సకలుడు, దివ్య స్థపతి, అచల స్థిరుడు।

Word by Word

• शाखः (śākhaḥ): branched, extending as manifold supports

• विशाखः (viśākhaḥ): widely-branched, all-pervading in many directions

• गोशाखः (gośākhaḥ): protector/support of cows and beings (go = cattle/creatures)

• शिवः (śivaḥ): the auspicious Lord (Pati)

• नैकः (naikaḥ): not only one, beyond limiting singularity

• क्रतुः (kratuḥ): Vedic sacrifice, sacrificial will/power

• समः (samaḥ): equal, impartial, balanced

• गङ्गाप्लवोदकः (gaṅgāplavodakaḥ): the water of Gaṅgā’s flood, purifier

• भावः (bhāvaḥ): being, existence, the Lord as Bhava

• सकलः (sakalaḥ): whole, complete with all powers/parts

• स्थपतिः (sthapatiḥ): architect, establisher, master-builder

• स्थिरः (sthiraḥ): firm, unmoving, steadfast

Speaker

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

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Ganga

FAQs

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

By naming Shiva as Sakala and Sthapati, the verse frames Linga worship as approaching the complete Pati who both manifests the cosmos and establishes sacred order; the Linga becomes the stable focus for that all-pervading Lord.

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

It presents Shiva as simultaneously transcendent and immanent: beyond limitation (naika), yet present as sacrifice (kratu), purity (Gaṅgā’s waters), existence itself (bhāva), and the steadfast ground (sthira) supporting all pashus.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Kratu points to Vedic-yajña offered to Shiva, while Gaṅgāplavodaka implies purification (snāna/ācamana) as a preparatory limb of Shiva-pūjā; inwardly, it supports Pāśupata discipline through equality (sama) and steadiness (sthira).