Shloka 1
प्रणवार्थपद्धतिवर्णनम्
Methodical Explanation of the Meaning of Praṇava/Om
ईश्वर उवाच । शिवो महेश्वरश्चैव रुद्रो विष्णुः पितामहः । संसारवैद्यस्सर्वज्ञः परमात्मेति मुख्यतः
īśvara uvāca | śivo maheśvaraścaiva rudro viṣṇuḥ pitāmahaḥ | saṃsāravaidyassarvajñaḥ paramātmeti mukhyataḥ
自在天（Īśvara）说道：“祂名为湿婆（Śiva）、大自在天（Maheśvara）与鲁陀罗（Rudra）；亦被称作毗湿奴（Viṣṇu）与毗多摩诃（Pitāmaha，梵天）。最重要的是，祂主要被认识为遍知之医王，能疗治世间轮回之病，并为至上之我（Paramātman）。”
Ishvara (Lord Shiva)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: A doctrinal ‘name-theology’ verse: Śiva is identified as the inner reality behind functions attributed to Viṣṇu and Brahmā, and as saṃsāra-vaidyā (healer of bondage). Pilgrimage benefit is framed as existential cure—release from pāśa through knowledge and grace.
Mantra: śivo maheśvaraścaiva rudro viṣṇuḥ pitāmahaḥ | saṃsāravaidyassarvajñaḥ paramātmeti mukhyataḥ
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
FAQs
It declares Shiva as the supreme Pati—known by many divine names—who alone truly cures the disease of saṃsāra and reveals the Paramātman, leading the bound soul toward liberation.
By listing Shiva’s sacred names and functions, it supports Saguna worship (name, form, and attributes) as a doorway to realizing the highest truth of Shiva as Paramātman—often approached through Linga devotion in the Shiva Purana.
Meditate on Shiva through japa of His names (especially the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with the intent of healing saṃsāric bondage, aligning the mind toward knowledge and release.