Chanting Lord Shiva Sahasranama, Lord Vishnu is blessed with Sudharshana Chakra with the blessings of Lord Shiva. The blessings of cosmic energies of Lord Shiva comes from worshiping of Lord Shiva Sahasranama Homam bestows existence of life with fundamental qualities of cosmos which is said to be a vast nothingness.
There are different versions of Shiva Sahasranama; one in lInga Purana (Being taught by Lord Krishna to sage Markandeya) and the other which occurs in Anushasanika Parva of Mahabharata. But apart from Mahabharat and Ling Purana, there are more versions available: Mahabharata (Shantiparva version) Linga Purana (version 1; chapter 65) Linga Purana (version 2; chapter 97) Shiva Purana (Kotirudra Samhita) Vayu Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Devi Mahabhagavata Purana, Padma Purana, Skanda Purana, Vamana Purana, Markandeya Purana, Saura Purana, Bhairava Tantra, Bhringiridi Samhita, Rudrayamala Tantra, Shiva Rahasya Itihasa and Akasa Kalpa Tantra.
In the Mahabaratha version; Yudishtra after hearing the Vishnu Sahasranama from Bheeshma requests him also to teach the thousand names of Lord Shiva. Bheeshma expresses his inability to the same and requests Lord Krishna to teach it to Yudishtra. Then Lord Krishna who has learnt it from Sage Upamanyu teaches it to Yudishtra.
This 1008 names of Lord Shiva; While 45 names are repeated twice, 11 are repeated thrice and three names are repeated four times. Readers may observe that different meanings are given to these repetitions.
The famous Rudradhyaya or Rudraprashna of Taittiriya Samhita 4.5, popularly known as Rudra Namakam, has all the classical and Vedic names of Shiva. Amarakosha has perfectly collected all the great names of Shiva in First Kanda, Svargavarga, verses 30–35.1:
शम्भुरीशः पशुपतिः शिवः शूली महेश्वरः । ईश्वरः शर्व ईशानः शङ्करश्चन्द्रशेखरः ॥
भूतेशः खण्डपरशुर्गिरीशो गिरिशो मृडः । मृत्युञ्जयः कृत्तिवासाः पिनाकी प्रमथाधिपः ॥
उग्रः कपर्दी श्रीकण्ठः शितिकण्ठः कपालभृत् । वामदेवो महादेवो विरूपाक्षस्त्रिलोचनः ॥
कृशानुरेताः सर्वज्ञो धूर्जटिर्नीललोहितः । हरः स्मरहरो भर्गस्त्र्यम्बकस्त्रिपुरान्तकः ॥
गङ्गाधरोऽन्धकरिपुः क्रतुध्वंसी वृषध्वजः । व्योमकेशो भवो भीमः स्थाणू रुद्र उमापतिः ॥
अहिर्बुध्न्योऽष्टमूर्तिश्च गजारिश्च महानटः ॥
Sambhu, Isa, Pashupati, Siva, Suli, Maheshwar, Ishwar, Sarva, Isana, Sankara, Chandrashekhara, Bhutesa, Khandaparasu, Girisa, Mrida, Mrityunjaya, Krttivasah, Pinaki, Pramathadhipa, Ugra, Kapardi, Srikantha, Kapalabhrt, Vamadeva, Mahadeva, Virupaksa, Trilochana, Krsanuretah, sarvajna, dhurjati, nilalohita, Hara, smarahara, bharga, tryambaka, tripurantaka, gaṅgadhara, andhakaripu, kratudhvamsi, vrsadhvaja, vyomakesa, bhava, Bhima, sthaṇu, rudra, umapati, ahirbudhnya*, astamurti*, gajari*, mahanaṭa* (*last four are considered interpolations)
Three eyes represent the Sun, Moon and Fire. The three white-lined Bhasma (Ash) on His forehead reminds his devotees to annihilate the three Mala (Impurities), namely Aham (Ego), Kamya (Expectation), and Maya (Illusion), and avoid the three Eshana (Craving), desire for Stri (Woman), Sampatti (Property), Swarna (Gold), and shun the three Vasanas (Tendencies), Loka Vasana (Materialism), Deha Vasana (attachment to body-mind) and Shastra Vasana (boast of knowledge), and only then one can attain Him with a pure heart.
Snake around his neck symbolize the Jivatma (Individual Consciousness) resting on the Paramatma (Absolute Consciousness). The crescent moon on his forehead represents mind. It denotes that a seeker has to keep the state of his mind like the crescent moon. The full moon represents “Know-it-all” mentality, the crescent moon depicts the humble state of mind wanting and waiting to know. This humble state of mind controls ego, when ego is controlled humanity and humility blossoms.
In this nothingness there is a vast empty space which is none other than Lord Shiva, himself. This is the state of self that everything comes from nothing and goes back to nothing which is beyond the qualities and state of mind namely Satva, Rajas and Tamas. Lord Shiva is one of the three aspects of divinity, the other two being is Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu.
According to Hinduism Brahma creates while Vishnu protects and Shiva transforms. Shiva does not destroy, as energy cannot be destroyed He only transforms. The right and wrong exist in this universe with slight balance between the opposing forces of good and evil.
When this balance gets disturbed and continuation of life becomes unfeasible, Shiva dissolves the universe. This is known as Pralaya the Cosmic Deluge and it is done in order to make way for another cycle of existence.
Shiva has the unclad body smeared with ash symbolizing the transcendental aspect of the universe. The three matted locks of hair represent the assimilation of the mental, physical and spiritual energies.
Shiva is the greatest Vaishnava always meditating on His Self who is none other than Shri Hari. Shiva is the Eternal Spiritual Guru who has to lead me to Paramapada (Supreme Abode). He has done it at the start of Kaliyuga when He appeared as Sukhadeva to recite the glories of Sri Hari through Srimad Bhagavatam to King Parikshit in the kings last seven days.
In every mankind qualities of thought differs. Satva contributes to calm, composed and peaceful attitude, Rajas contributes to restlessness, activated and agitated and Tamas signifies indifference attitude in life which is based on one’s dominant qualities and attitudinal behavior.
Performing Lord Shiva Sahasranama Homam, reciting 1008 names of Lord Shiva will not only will set the path to overcome all challenges in life to reach the highest superior state of Satva, but also to attain the path of Salvation. Lord Shiva from his state of nothing and invisibility also bless devotees with Rajasic temperament focusing entirely on power and wealth, bestow with food, clothing and shelter required for one’s physical and mental well-being.
A spiritual master has to be Ashutosha one who is quickly satisfied and quick to give benedictions. There is none like Shiva who is Nishkapata Kripalu the one who is guilelessly compassionate. The Lord also bless devotees entirely with Tamas, to help during hardship, distress times, using tantric practices of spirits and malicious forms.
19 Avatars of Mahadev
Authored by Anadi Sahoo
