Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 58

Śiva-nāma-sahasraka-kathana

The Recital/Teaching of the Thousand Names of Śiva

Devanagari script

विश्वोत्तमो वीतभयो विश्वभर्त्ताऽनिवारितः । नित्यो नियतकल्याणः पुण्यश्रवणकीर्त्तनः

Transliteration

viśvottamo vītabhayo viśvabharttā'nivāritaḥ | nityo niyatakalyāṇaḥ puṇyaśravaṇakīrttanaḥ

Translation

祂是宇宙至上者，彻底无畏；祂扶持一切世界，毫无阻碍。祂恒常不变，常住吉祥；聆听与赞颂祂，便成为清净功德之源。

Word by Word

• विश्व-उत्तमः: best in the universe
• विश्व-उत्तमः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—epithet)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विश्व (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (‘विश्वेषु उत्तमः’)

• वीत-भयः: free from fear
• वीत-भयः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—epithet)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वीत (प्रातिपदिक; क्त from √वा/√वी ‘to go away’) + भय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि-समास (‘वीतं भयम् यस्य’ = fearless)

• विश्व-भर्ता: supporter of the universe
• विश्व-भर्ता: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—epithet)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्व (प्रातिपदिक) + भर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (विश्वस्य भर्ता)

• अनिवारितः: unhindered
• अनिवारितः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—epithet)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नि + वार् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; न-निषेधपूर्वक अर्थः: ‘न निवारितः’ = unstoppable/unrestrained

• नित्यः: eternal
• नित्यः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—epithet)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• नियत-कल्याणः: of certain auspiciousness
• नियत-कल्याणः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—epithet)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नियत (प्रातिपदिक) + कल्याण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि-समास (‘नियतं कल्याणं यस्य’ = of assured auspiciousness)

• पुण्य-श्रवण-कीर्तनः: whose hearing and chanting are meritorious
• पुण्य-श्रवण-कीर्तनः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—epithet)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुण्य (प्रातिपदिक) + श्रवण (प्रातिपदिक) + कीर्तन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि-समास (‘पुण्यं श्रवणं कीर्तनं च यस्य/यस्य श्रवणकीर्तनं पुण्यम्’)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse exalts Shiva as Pati—the fearless, eternal Lord who sustains the cosmos—and teaches that shravana (devout listening) and kirtana (glorification) of Him generate purifying merit that leads the soul toward grace and liberation.

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

In Kotirudrasaṃhitā, Shiva is approached through sacred forms and holy places (including Jyotirlingas). This verse supports Saguna-bhakti: by hearing and chanting His names and qualities while worshiping the Linga, the devotee gains punya and steadiness in auspiciousness, aligning with Shiva’s sustaining presence.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice shravana-kirtana: regularly listen to Shiva Purana recitation and chant Shiva’s names (including the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with devotion; this is presented as a direct, merit-bearing discipline.