Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 43
विष्णूत्पत्तिवर्णनम्
Description of the Origin/Manifestation of Viṣṇu
शिव उवाच । विष्ण्वितिव्यापकत्वात्ते नाम ख्यातं भविष्यति । बहून्यन्यानि नामानि भक्तसौख्यकराणि ह
śiva uvāca | viṣṇvitivyāpakatvātte nāma khyātaṃ bhaviṣyati | bahūnyanyāni nāmāni bhaktasaukhyakarāṇi ha
Sinabi ni Śiva: “Sapagkat ikaw ay lumalaganap sa lahat, ang iyong pangalan ay magiging tanyag bilang ‘Viṣṇu’. At magkakaroon ka pa ng maraming iba pang pangalan—mga pangalang nagdudulot ng ligaya at ginhawang espirituwal sa mga deboto.”
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Mantra: viṣṇv iti vyāpakatvāt te nāma khyātaṃ bhaviṣyati
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse links a divine name to a divine attribute: ‘Viṣṇu’ is explained as the all-pervading presence. It also affirms that sacred names are not mere labels but channels of grace that uplift devotees through remembrance (nāma-smaraṇa) and devotion.
In the Shiva Purana’s devotional framework, Saguna worship uses form, qualities, and names as accessible supports for the mind. By declaring that names bestow devotee-welfare, the text supports nāma-japa and reverence for divine manifestations—while Shiva remains the supreme bestower of grace.
A practical takeaway is nāma-japa (repetition of divine names) with bhakti—especially remembering the Lord through meaningful names and attributes. This can be integrated with Shaiva practice such as japa of Shiva’s names alongside Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) as devotion-centered meditation.