Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 63
गजासुरतपः–देवलोकक्षोभः
Gajāsura’s Austerities and the Disturbance of the Worlds
अन्यं च मे वरं देहि यदि तुष्टोऽसि शंकर । नामास्तु कृत्तिवासास्ते प्रारभ्याद्यतनं दिनम्
anyaṃ ca me varaṃ dehi yadi tuṣṭo'si śaṃkara | nāmāstu kṛttivāsāste prārabhyādyatanaṃ dinam
“若你欢喜，噢 Śaṅkara，请再赐我一愿：从今日起，愿你的圣名称为‘Kṛttivāsa’。”
An unnamed devotee/boon-seeker addressing Lord Shiva (as Śaṅkara) within Sūta’s narration
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: A boon-request scene: the devotee asks Śiva to bear the epithet ‘Kṛttivāsa’ from that day—an onomastic sthala-memory that later supports local liṅga traditions tied to hide/skin symbolism.
Significance: Remembering Śiva as Kṛttivāsa emphasizes humility and renunciation; devotees seek removal of pride and the grace that makes even the ‘unfit’ fit for liberation.
Mantra: नामास्तु कृत्तिवासास्ते प्रारभ्याद्यतनं दिनम्
Type: stotra
FAQs
The verse highlights nāma (divine name) as a living channel of grace: when Śiva is pleased, the devotee seeks not only a gift but the sanctification of a sacred epithet, showing bhakti that treasures Śiva’s identity and presence.
Requesting a specific name for Śiva supports Saguna-upāsanā—approaching the Supreme through accessible forms, attributes, and epithets. Such names are used in stotra, japa, and pūjā alongside Liṅga worship to focus devotion and invoke Śiva’s grace.
Nāma-japa (repetition) and nāma-smaraṇa (remembrance) are implied—chanting Śiva’s names (including ‘Kṛttivāsa’) during daily worship, especially in Liṅga-pūjā and Mahāśivarātri observances.