Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 34

Śiva-nāma-sahasraka-kathana

The Recital/Teaching of the Thousand Names of Śiva

Devanagari script

लोकपालोंऽतर्हितात्मा कल्पादिः कमलेक्षणः । वेदशास्त्रार्थतत्त्वज्ञोऽनियमो नियताश्रयः

Transliteration

lokapāloṃ'tarhitātmā kalpādiḥ kamalekṣaṇaḥ | vedaśāstrārthatattvajño'niyamo niyatāśrayaḥ

Translation

祂为护世者（Lokapāla），其自性内隐于自身本体；祂为诸劫（kalpa）之始，莲华眼。祂洞知吠陀与诸论典（Śāstra）之真实旨趣；虽超越一切外加规约，仍是一切正法秩序与戒律之坚固归依。

Word by Word

• लोकपालः: protector of the world
• लोकपालः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक-पाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (लोकस्य पालः)

• अन्तर्हितात्मा: whose self is concealed/withdrawn
• अन्तर्हितात्मा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्तर्हित-आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (अन्तर्हितः आत्मा यस्य)

• कल्पादिः: the beginning (source) of kalpa etc.
• कल्पादिः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कल्प-आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (कल्पः आदिः यस्य / कल्पादिः = beginning with kalpa)

• कमलेक्षणः: lotus-eyed
• कमलेक्षणः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कमल-ईक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (कमलम् इव ईक्षणं यस्य)

• वेदशास्त्रार्थतत्त्वज्ञः: knower of the true meaning of Veda and śāstra
• वेदशास्त्रार्थतत्त्वज्ञः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेद-शास्त्र-अर्थ-तत्त्व-ज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (वेदशास्त्रयोः अर्थतत्त्वं जानाति)

• अनियमः: unrestricted; not bound by rule
• अनियमः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनियम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; नञ्-समासान्त (अ-नियम)

• नियताश्रयः: having a fixed abode/support
• नियताश्रयः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नियत-आश्रय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (नियतः आश्रयः यस्य)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s glory to the sages at Naimisharanya, inferred from Purana dialogue convention)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Īśāna

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not tied to a Jyotirliṅga; the verse stresses Śiva as lokapāla and antarhita-ātmā (inwardly hidden), and as the ultimate knower of Veda-śāstra meanings—beyond rules yet the refuge of dharma.

Significance: Supports inward contemplation of the hidden Lord (antarhita) and reliance on Śiva as niyata-āśraya (sure refuge), stabilizing sādhana and loosening pāśa through right understanding.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: kalpa-ādi (origin of cosmic cycles) implied

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It presents Shiva as both transcendent and immanent: hidden as the inner Self, beyond all limiting rules, yet the ultimate support of dharma and the true meaning of scripture—thus the sure refuge for liberation.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

The lotus-eyed description supports Saguna contemplation, while “inwardly hidden” points to Nirguna reality; Linga-worship unites both—adoring the visible symbol while meditating on Shiva as the indwelling truth.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditate on Shiva as the indwelling Lord while chanting the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and align conduct with niyama (disciplined living), seeing Shiva as the refuge of all right order.