Śiva–Arjuna Yuddha and the Subjugation of Pride (Śiva-parīkṣā)
कपर्दिने नमस्तुभ्यन्त्रिनेत्राय नमोऽस्तु ते । मनः प्रसन्नरूपाय सहस्रवदनाय च
kapardine namastubhyantrinetrāya namo'stu te | manaḥ prasannarūpāya sahasravadanāya ca
اے کپردین (جٹادھاری)، آپ کو نمسکار؛ اے ترینتر، آپ کو نمो نمہ۔ جس کا روپ من کو پرسنّ کرتا ہے، اور جو سہسرودن ہے—اس کو بھی نمسکار۔
Suta Goswami (narrating the hymn of praise within the Shatarudrasaṃhitā context)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: ‘Sahasravadanāya’ (thousand-faced) and universal epithets naturally resonate with Viśvanātha—Lord of the universe—especially in later devotional mapping of cosmic Śiva to Kāśī.
Significance: Contemplation of Śiva as all-faced/all-seeing supports viśvarūpa-bhāva and fearlessness; Kāśī-viśvanātha pilgrimage is traditionally linked with liberation-bestowing grace.
Mantra: कपर्दिने नमस्तुभ्यन्त्रिनेत्राय नमोऽस्तु ते । मनः प्रसन्नरूपाय सहस्रवदनाय च
Type: stotra
It teaches bhakti through nāma-stuti (praise by divine names): meditating on Shiva as Kapardin (ascetic Lord) and Trinetra (all-knowing consciousness) steadies the mind and turns it toward Pati, the liberator of the bound soul (paśu).
The verse is Saguna-oriented—adoring Shiva through attributes and forms (matted locks, three eyes, thousand faces). Such contemplation supports Linga-worship by giving the devotee a focused, auspicious understanding of the One Lord expressed through many forms.
Repeat these epithets as japa before the Shiva Linga, ideally alongside the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), visualizing the tranquil, mind-pleasing form of Shiva; it aligns well with Mahāśivarātri vrata, bhasma (tripuṇḍra), and rudrākṣa-supported meditation.