Shiva Sahasranama

The Shiva sahasranama is a "list of a thousand names" of Shiva, one of the most important deities in Hinduism. In Hindu tradition a sahasranama is a type of devotional hymn (Sanskrit: stotra) listing many names of a deity. The names provide an exhaustive catalog of the attributes, functions, and major mythology associated with the figure being praised. The Shiva Sahasranama is found in Shiv Mahapuran and many other scriptures such as Ling Puran. As per Shiv Mahapuran when Vishnu was unable to defeat the demons after many attempts he prayed to Shiv who granted him the Sudarshan Chakra for fighting the demons

Versions

There are at least eight different versions of the Shiva sahasranama. The version appearing in Book 13 (Anuśāsanaparvan) of the Mahabharata is considered the kernel of this tradition. The eight versions analyzed by Ram Karan Sharma are:

• Linga Purana (version 1, LP 1.65.54-168) is close to the Mahabharata Anushasanaparvan version.
• Linga Purana (version 2, LP 1.98.27-159) has some passages in common with LP version 1, but also with other sources
• Shivapurana 4.35.1-131.
• Mahabharata (Śāntiparvan version). The critical edition of the Mahabharata does not include this version; it is considered part of book 12 (Śāntiparvan), but is relegated to Appendix 28 in the critical edition, representing a late addition to the text. The Gita Press edition restores it as part of the main text, as verses 12.284.68-180.
• Vayu Purana (1.30.179-284) is almost the same as the Mahabharata Śāntiparvan version.
• Brahmanda Purana (38.1.1-100) is almost the same as the Vayu Purana version.
• Mahābhāgavata Upapurana (67.1-125) appears to be of comparatively recent origin.

Hari...The Sustainer, The Destroyer.

Anantadrishti...Of infinite vision.

Mahayogi...Greatest of all Gods.

Popular names of Lord Shiva

• Aashutosh, one who fulfills wishes instantly
• Aja, Unborn
• Akshayaguna, God with limitless attributes
• Anagha, Without any fault
• Anantadrishti, of infinite vision
• Augadh, one who revels all the time
• Avyayaprabhu, Imperishable Lord
• Bhairav, Destroyer of Fear
• Bhalanetra, one who has an eye in the forehead
• Bholenath, Kind-hearted Lord
• Bhooteshwara, Lord of ghosts and spirits
• Bhudeva, Lord of the earth
• Bhutapala, Protector of the ghosts
• Chandrapal, Master of the moon
• Chandraprakash, one who has moon as a crest
• Dayalu, Compassionate
• Devadideva, God of Gods
• Dhanadeepa, Lord of Wealth
• Dhyanadeep, Icon of meditation and concentration
• Dhyutidhara, Lord of Brilliance
• Digambara, one who has the skies as his clothes
• Durjaneeya, Difficult to be known
• Durjaya, Unvanquished
• Gangadhara, Lord of River Ganga
• Girijapati, Consort of Girija
• Gunagrahin, Acceptor of Gunas
• Gurudeva, Master of All
• Hara, Remover of Sins
• Hari, the Sustainer, the Destroyer
• Jagadisha, Master of the Universe
• Jaradhishamana, Redeemer from Afflictions
• Jatin, one who has matted hair
• Kailas, one who bestows peace
• Kailashadhipati, Lord of Mount Kailash
• Kailashnath, Master of Mount Kailash
• Kamalakshana, Lotus-eyed Lord
• Kantha, Ever-Radiant
• Kapalin, one who wears a necklace of skulls
• Khatvangin, bearer of the missile Khatvang
• Kochadaiyaan, the Lord with Long, Matted Locks of Hair
• Kundalin, one who wears earrings
• Lalataksha, one who has an eye in the forehead
• Lingadhyaksha, Lord of the Lingas
• Lingaraja, the Phallus King
• Lokankara, Creator of the Three Worlds
• Lokapal, one who takes care of the world
• Mahabuddhi, Extremely intelligent
• Mahadeva, Greatest God
• Mahakala, Lord of All Times
• Mahamaya, of great illusions
• Mahamrityunjaya, Great victor of death
• Mahanidhi, Great storehouse
• Mahashaktimaya, one who has boundless energies
• Mahayogi, Greatest of all Gods
• Mahesha, Supreme Lord
• Maheshwara, Lord of Gods
• Nagabhushana, one who has serpents as ornaments
• Nataraja, King of the art of dancing
• Nilakantha, Blue-throated
• Nityasundara, Ever beautiful
• Nrityapriya, Lover of Dance
• Omkara, Creator of OM
• Palanhaar, one who protects everyone
• Parameshwara, First among all gods
• Paramjyoti, Greatest splendor
• Pashupati, Lord of all living beings
• Pinakin, one who has a bow in his hand
• Pranava, Originator of the syllable of OM
• Priyabhakta, Favorite of the devotees
• Priyadarshana, of loving vision
• Pushkara, one who gives nourishment
• Pushpalochana, one who has eyes like flowers
• Ravilochana, having sun as the eye
• Rudraksha, one who has eyes like Rudra
• Sadashiva, Eternal Source of Joy
• Sanatana, Eternal God
• Sarvacharya, Charioteer of Partha (Arjuna)
• Sarvashiva, Eternal Lord
• Sarvatapana, Preceptor of All
• Sarvayoni, Always Pure
• Sarvesh, The Lord Of All
• Sarveshwara, Scorcher of All
• Shambhu, Source of Everything
• Shankara, Lord of All Gods
• Shantah, Preceptor of Skanda
• Shiva, Abode of Joy
• Shoolin, Giver of Joy
• Shreshhtha, Lord of the moon
• Shrikantha, Always Pure
• Shrutiprakasha, one who has a trident
• shubhankar, a person that is adopted by a team or other group as a symbolic figure
• Shuddhavigraha, of glorious neck
• Skandaguru, Illuminator of the Vedas
• Someshwara, one who has a pure body
• Sukhada, Bestower of happiness
• Suprita, well pleased
• Suragana, having Gods as attendants
• Sureshwara, Lord of all Gods
• Swayambhu, Self-Manifested
• Tejaswani, one who spreads illumination
• Trilochana, Three-Eyed Lord
• Trilokpati, Master of all the Three Worlds
• Tripurari, Destroyer of the "Tripur" (the 3 planets created by Asuras)
• Trishoolin, one who has a trident in his hands
• Umapati, Consort of Uma
• Vachaspati, Lord of Speech
• Vajrahasta, one who has a thunderbolt in his hands
• Varada, Granter of Boons
• Vedakarta, Originator of the Vedas
• Veerabhadra, Supreme Lord of the Nether World
• Vishalaksha, Wide-eyed Lord
• Vishveshwara, Lord of the Universe
• Vishwanath, Master of the Universe
• Vrishavahana, one who has bull as his vehicle

All 1000 Names

This version of the Shiv Sahastranamavali has been given by Lord Krishna to Yuddhisthira after the Mahabharata War while Bhishma was lying on the bed of arrows.

First 100 Names

1.Sthirāy, One who is firm, unchanged, permanent, stable, the substratum
2.Sthāṇave, One who is fixed, motionless
3.Prabhave, One who depends on none to accomplish what He wants, Who is puissant
4.Bheemay, One who is powerful and cannot be defeated when attacked. The Lord is Durga, tormentor of those who commit errors.
5.Pravah, One who is foremost, One who makes the winds to move
6.Varadah, One who generously grants boons to his devotees
7.Varah, The best, most superior, excellent
8.Sarvaaatmah, One who is the indwelling spirit in everything.
9.Sarvavikhyaatah, The Lord is the supreme over all beings, He is the power of renunciation in all beings.
10.Sarvah, One who is all pervading. Nothing exists without His presence.
11.Sarvkaroah, One who is the Creator of all, One who is the subtler doer of all actions.
12.Bhavah, The Lord is the one and only reality from whom creation emerges and into whom it dissolves
13.Jati, One who has matted locks.
14.Charmi, One who wears animal skin as His clothing
15.Shikhandi, The Lord has beautiful matted hair (which look like the peacock’s crest
16.Sarvangah, Whose limbs form the Universe, Who is vast, infinite
17.Sarvabhavanah, The Lord is the very Creator of all beings
18.Haraay, The merciful Lord 'takes away' from his devotees their ego, sorrow, pride, etc. Also, one who destroys everything at the time of Pralaya
19.Harinaakshyaay, Who has beautiful deer like eyes
20.Sarvabhoot Haraay, He who destroys everything at the time of great dissolution
21.Prabhuh, One who is the Supreme enjoyer, One who is not dependent on anyone for the accomplishment of any task, and who knows what has been done, what needs to be done, and what will be done.
22.Pravrutti, The Lord is the origin from where all activity flows, the source or energy for action.
23.Nivrutti, The Lord is the power of abstention from action. One, who is content, has accomplished everything that needs to be done.
24.Niyataay, The Lord never fails in his duties. He is consistent in observance of His vows.
25.Shashavtah, One who is eternal
26.Dhruvah, The Lord is firm, unchanged. He is the same in the beginning, middle and the end. He is the 'Kootasthala'
27.Shmshaanvaaseenae, One who dwells on the cremation grounds. Lord Shiva is the Lord of all created beings, including the bhootas, rakshasas, etc. For Him there is no difference between a beautiful garden and a cemetery.
28.Bhagvaan, He is the Lord of all the 'Bhagaas' parts or fortune. One who has all the six great glories – power, wealth, fame, dharma, dispassion and knowledge.
29.Khaecharaay, The Lord resides in the heart of every creature
30.Gocharaay, The Lord is the very dynamism behind the sense organs. ‘Go’ also means the earth, the cows and the Vedas.
31.Ardanaay, One who punishes the enemies of His devotees
32.Abhivaadhyaay, One who is most revered and honored by all, One who is most deserving of worship
33.Mahakarmaa, One who is the very dynamism behind each action, The performer of great tasks
34.Tapasvinae, The Lord who has penance as His wealth, He who is ever engaged in the Self
35.Bhootbhaavanaay, One who has created all elements at His will
36.Unmattvaesh Prcchannaay, One who conceals His real nature by wearing the guise of a lunatic, ignorant
37.Sarvalokaprajaapatayae, Who if the Father or Lord of all the worlds or lokas and of all creatures
38.Maharupaay, One who has an immeasurable form, in whom everything exists. This form is the Virat form of the Lord.
39.Mahakaayaay, Who has a vast body
40.Vrushrupaay, He who is righteousness, Vrush means dharma The Lord is the very essence of dharma.
41.Mahaayashasae, One who is of great fame.
42.Mahaatmanae, One who is the greatest self
43.Sarvabhootaatmanae, The Lord is the indwelling spirit, the Self or Aatman in all
44.Vishvaroopaay, One who has the universe as His form, in Whom the Universe is displayed
45.Mahaahanavae, One who has a vast jaw, to swallow the universe at the time of total destruction. ‘Hanu’ means chin or jaw.
46.Lokapaalaay, One who nourisher and protector of the Worlds
47.Antarhitaatmanae, The Lord is the indweller, subtlest self residing in the inner cavity of the heart.
48.Prasaadaay, He is the giver of supreme grace and bliss
49.Hayagardbhayae, One whose car is drawn by horses or mules. Haya means horse or mule
50.Pavitraay, The Lord is the great purifier or the Lord is reached by purity of actions and vows
51.Mahatae, The Lord protects his devotees from the fear of death and rebirth
52.Niyamaay, One who is attained through purity of vows and actions
53.Niyamaashritaay, The Lord is the refuge of those who follow self restraint and purity of actions
54.Sarvakarmanae, The Lord is the subtle power in every art, and every action.
55.Svyambhoothaay, He who is self created. The Lord is the cause of Himself by Himself
56.Aadayae, One who is the beginning of all creatures
57.Aadikaaraay, Aadi – who comes before all, The Lord is Hiranyagarbha- the creator of all things
58.Nidhayae, The Lord is the possessor of inexhaustible treasures and felicities
59.Sahastraakshyaay, One with thousand eyes, really infinite eyes
60.Vishaalaakshyaay, The Lord has wide eyes with vast powers
61.Somaay, The Lord is Soma, the nourishes of the Moon, the nectar in the Moon, which nourishes the plants
62.Nakshtrasaadhakaay, The Lord gives to the virtuous a shining place (Star, like Dhruv, Venus etc.) in the firmament
63.Chandraay, The Lord is the essence in the moon
64.Suryaay, The Lord is the light in the sun
65.Shanaey, The Lord is the planet Saturn, He is a friend of Lord Shani
66.Ketavae, The Lord is the Ascending node, Ketu
67.Grahaay, The Lord is the power in every planet; He is mars, Jupiter, Saturn etc. Grah means that which attracts everything to himself
68.Grahapataey, One who is the Lord of all celestial bodies, the planets, stars, etc.
69.Varaay, The glorious one, The Lord is Brihaspati or Jupiter (the guru of the Devas)
70.Atraey, One who is Mercury or Rishi Atri
71.Atrayaa-namaskatrae, One who was worshipped by Rishi Atri’s wife
72.Mruga-baana-arpaanaay, The Lord shot an arrow at Daksha’s sacrifice, and the Sacrifice took the form of a deer and fled away
73.Anaghaay, Who is sinless
74.Mahaatapasaey, One who has performed the greatest penance to create the Universe
75.Ghoratapasaey, The performer of severe austerities has made the Lord the destroyer of the Universe
76.Adeenaay, The Lord is very compassionate to His devotees, Large hearted
77.Deenasaadhakaay, The one who fulfills the wishes of His devotees, Deen is the poor, saadhak is one who helps.
78.Samvatsaraay, One who is the year and the maker of the year, keeps the wheel of Time rolling
79.Mantraay, Who is the very seed of the Mantra, and the Mantra itself, the Pranav OM,
80.Pramaanaay, The Lord is the supreme authority of all injunctions in the Vedas
81.ParamnTapaay, The Lord is the highest penance, the supreme goal of those who perform austerities
82.Yoginae, One who is devoted to Yoga
83.Yojyaay, One who merges Himself in the Absolute
84.Mahabeejaay, The great seed,the cause of the Universe
85.Maharaetasae, The Lord is the one in whom the manifest and unmanifest form of the universe exists
86.Mahabalaay, One who is possessed of infinite strength
87.Suvarnaraetasae, The Lord whose seed is golden
88.Sarvagyaay, All pervading, Omniscient, who is all knowing
89.Subeejaay, The auspicious cause of all
90.Beejavaahanaay, The Lord carries the seed of action for beings from this world to the other
91.Dashabahavae, One who has ten arms
92.Animishaay, The Lord who does not blink His eyelids, He has a steadfast gaze
93.Neelakanthaay, Blue throated, as He swallowed the terrible poison
94.Umapatayae, The Lord of Mother Uma
95.Vishwaroopay, Whose form is the universe, the origin of all infinite forms
96.Svayamshraeshthaay, The Lord is the greatest or most superior due to His own self
97.Balaveeraay, The Lord is most powerful, mightiest
98.Abalaay, One who is the inert matter, One who protects the weak
99.Ganaay, He is the One who has all the tattwas(Gunas – qualities) in Himself
100.Ganakartrae, One who is the leader or ruler of the Gunas, Tattwas

Second 100 Names

101.Ganapatayae, The Lord is the leader of the Ganas (Ganas are those who wait upon Lord Shiva)
102.Digvaasasae, One who is in all directions, One who covers the infinite space
103.Kaamaaay, Who is the object of desire of the virtuous, The Lord is the Lord of Desire
104.Mantravidae, The Lord is the knower of the Mantras, the author of the Mantras, the highest mantra
105.Paramaay, The most Supreme knower of the mantras
106.Mantraay, The Lord is the highest mantra
107.Sarvabhaavakaraay, The very cause of the Universe, as everything has sprung from the Lord Himself
108.Haraay, The universal destroyer, The Lord destroys The sorrow of His devotee- Har to take away
109.Kamandaludharaay, He holds a calabash jar in one of His hands
110.Dhanvinae, He holds the bow- Pinakan in His other hand
111.Banahastaay, He has arrows in another hand
112.Kapaalavatae, Kapaal means skull, He who holds a skull
113.Ashaninae, He holds a thunderbolt
114.Shataghninae, The Lord holds a weapon that can destroy hundreds at a time
115.Khanginae, One who holds a sword
116.Pattishinae, One who bears the battle-axe
117.Aayudhinae, One who bears weapons, trident
118.Mahatae, The greatest, most adored
119.Struvahastaay, The Lord holds the (yagya) sacrificial ladle in His hands
120.Suroopaay, The one with a lovely, enchanting, form
121.Taejasae, The very embodiment of (tejas) an abundance of brilliant energy
122.Taejaskaranidhayae, The Lord gives abundantly to those who worship You
123.Ushneesheenae, One who wears a diadem or turban
124.Suvakatraay, One who has a pleasing voice, A beautiful face
125.Udagraay, The Lord is full of splendor and puissance, exalted
126.Vinataay, The Lord is humble, modest
127.Deerghaay, The Lord is very tall, or one having a long duration
128.Harikaeshaay, The Lord whose senses are the rays that light the objects of the senses, kaesh means rays
129.Suteerthaay, Who is Himself the pilgrimage, the greatest teacher
130.Krushnaay, One who brings infinite bliss, Krush means Bhu, ‘n’ is for nivritti
131.Shrugaalaroopaay, The Lord took the form of a jackal to save His devotee
132.Siddhaarthaay, One whose desires are fulfilled immediately, objects are fulfilled without waiting
133.Mundaay, One who has a bald head(as a mendicant)
134.Sarvashubhamkaraay, One who is the seat of all auspiciousness who does good to all creatures
135.Ajaay, The unborn
136.Bahuroopay, Who takes on innumerable forms
137.Gandhadhaarinae, The Lord carries all kinds of perfumes (Bhasmaa), Gandh means fragrance
138.Kapardinae, Whose hair is matted and holds the Ganga in His locks as the river ascended from Heaven
139.Oordhvaraetasae, The Lord has never fallen from His rigid vows of Brahmachaaraya
140.Oordhvalingaay, The Lord has complete mastery over His passions and urges
141.Urdhvashaayinae, The Lord always sleeps on His back, Shaayinae means to sleep facing up
142.Nabhsthalaay, The Lord is the abode of puissance
143.Trijataay, The Lord has three matted locks on His head
144.Cheeravaasasae, The Lord wears bark clothes or rags, cheer means bark clothes
145.Rudraay, One who is fierce
146.Saenaapatayae, Who is the celestial commander in chief
147.Vibhavae, All pervading
148.Ahashcharaay, One who moves during the day, ‘Ahash’ means day, ‘char’ to move
149.Naktancharaay, One who moves during the night, Naktam means night
150.Tigmamanyavae, The Lord is fierce

External links

• Shiva Sahasranama from Linga Purana (ITRANS)