Shloka 19
Śiva-nāma-sahasraka-kathana
The Recital/Teaching of the Thousand Names of Śiva
शाखो विशाखो गोशाखः शिवो भिषगनुत्तमः । गंगाप्लवोदको भव्यः पुष्कलः स्थपतिः स्थिरः
śākho viśākho gośākhaḥ śivo bhiṣaganuttamaḥ | gaṃgāplavodako bhavyaḥ puṣkalaḥ sthapatiḥ sthiraḥ
祂是娑迦（Śākha）与毗娑迦（Viśākha），是分枝者与多枝者；祂是瞿娑迦（Gośākha），为一切众生作庇荫之枝。祂是湿婆（Śiva），至上的医王，疗愈灵魂系缚。祂是恒河（Gaṅgā）净化洪流的圣水；祂吉祥而辉煌，恩泽充盈——神圣的建筑师，恒常不动、不可变易的主。
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s epithets to the sages at Naimisharanya in the Shiva Purana style)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vaidyanātha
Jyotirlinga: Vaidyanātha
Sthala Purana: Śiva is praised as the supreme physician (bhiṣag-anuttama). In jyotirliṅga tradition, Vaidyanātha embodies Śiva as healer of both bodily affliction and the deeper pāśa (bondage) through grace and right worship.
Significance: Sought for healing, removal of obstacles, and relief from bondage through devotion and abhiṣeka; especially associated with vows and water-offerings.
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse praises Shiva through healing and purifying imagery: as the unsurpassed physician (bhīṣak) He cures the soul’s disease—bondage (pāśa)—and as Gaṅgā’s flood-water He purifies impurities (mala) so the devotee may move toward grace (anugraha) and liberation.
These are Saguna epithets that give the mind a devotional support: worship of the Shiva Linga is strengthened by remembering Shiva as protector (gośākha), purifier (gaṅgāplavodaka), and cosmic ordainer (sthapati), while understanding that these qualities point to the one supreme Pati beyond limitation.
A practical takeaway is nāma-japa: recite these names of Shiva with the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and meditate on inner purification like Gaṅgā’s flow; optionally perform simple abhiṣeka with clean water while contemplating Shiva as the healer of karmic afflictions.