Shiv Sahasranama – the thousand names of Shiva

Sahasranama means thousand (sahasra) names (nama), and Sahasranama Stotra is a hymn eulogizing the God by recounting one thousand of His names. As the various sects of Hindu-tradition (Shaivism, Shaktism and Vaishnavism) grew and spread, it must have become extremely popular to write hymns of a thousand names for the primary Deity of worship. There are various Sahasranama Stotras, but obviously here, we concentrate on the Shiva Sahasranama Stotra.

What makes the Shiva Sahasranama Stotra unique is the number of times and variations of the hymn, that are found in ancient texts. The appearance of the Shiva Sahasranama Stotra in at least 18 different texts is a testament to the fact that Shaivism in various forms was once immensely popular throughout the Indian subcontinent.

Below is a list of the texts in which Shiva Sahasranama Stotras are found.

1. Mahabharata (Anushasanaparva version)
2. Mahabharata (Shantiparva version)
3. Linga Purana (version 1; chapter 65)
4. Linga Purana (version 2; chapter 97)
5. Shiva Purana (Kotirudra Samhita)
6. Vayu Purana
7. Brahmanda Purana
8. Devi Mahabhagavata Upapurana
9. Padma Purana
10. Skanda Purana
11. Vamana Purana
12. Markandeya Purana
13. Saura Purana
14. Bhairava Tantra
15. Bhringiridi Samhita
16. Rudrayamala Tantra
17. Shiva Rahasya Itihasa
18. Akasa Kalpa Tantra

Using the reductionist approach, we arrive at four different major variants of the Shiva Sahasranama:

1. Mahabharata (Anushasanaparva version)
   2. Mahabharata (Shantiparva version)
   3. Shiva Purana
   4. Rudrayamala Tantra
2. Today, we have the version from the Shiva Purana. As with the Linga Purana version, in the Shiva Purana, Shiva is eulogized by Vishnu.

Shiva Purana, Kotirudra Samhita
(Book IV), Chapter 35, 1-133

Suta said:

May this be heard, O great sages, I shall now recount the hymn of a thousand names of Shiva, whereby Shiva was pleased.

Vishnu said:
1.  Shiva; Hara; Mrida; Rudra; Pushkara; Pushpalochana; Arthigamya; Sadachara; Sharva; Shambhu; Maheshvara; Chandrapida; Chandramouli; Vishva; Vishvamareshvara; Vedantasara-sandoha; Kapali; Nilalohita; Dhyanadhara; Aparicchedya; Gouribharta; Ganeshvara; Ashtamurti; Vishvamurti; Trivargasvargasadhana; Jnanagamya; Dridaprajna; Devadeva; Trilochana; Vamadeva; Madadeva; Patu; Parivrida; Drida; Vishvarupa; Virupaksha; Vagisha; Shuchisattama; Sarvapramanasamvadi; Vrishanka; Vrishavahana; Isha; Pinaki; Khatvanga; Chitravesha; Chirantana; Tamohara; Mahayogi; Gopta; Brahma; Dhurjati; Kalakala; Krittivasah; Subhaga; Pranavatmaka; Unnadhra; Purusha; Jushya; Durvasa; Purashasana; Divyayudha; Skandaguru; Parameshthi; Paratpara; Anadimadhyanidhana; Girisha; Girijadhava; Kuberabandhu; Shrikanatha; Lokavarnottama; Mridu; Samadhivedya; Kodandi; Nilakantha; Parashvadhi; Vishalaksha; Mrigavyadha; Suresha; Suryatapana; Dharmadhama. Kshamakshetra; Bhagavana; Bhaganetrabhida; Ugra; Pashupati; Tarkshya; Priyabhakta; Parantapa; Data; Dayakara. (100)

2. Daksha; Karmandi; Kamashasana; Shmashananilaya; Suksha; Shmashanastha; Maheshvara; Lokakarta; Mrigapati; Mahakarta; Mahoushadhi; Uttara; Gopati; Gopta; Jnanagamya; Puratana; Niti; Suniti; Shuddhatma; Soma; Somarata; Sukhi; Sompapa; Amritapa; Soumya; Mahatejah; Mahadyuti; Tejomaya; Amritamaya; Annamaya; Suhapati; Ajatashatru; Aloka; Sambhavya; Havyavahana; Lokakara; Vedakara; Sutrakara; Sanatana; Maharshi; Kapilacharya; Vishvadipti; Vilochana; Pinakapani; Bhudeva; Svastida; Svastikrita; Sudhi; Dhatridhama; Dhamakara; Sarvaga; Sarvagochara; Brahmasrika; Vishvasrika; Sarga; Karnikara; Priya; Kavi; Shakha; Vishakha; Goshakha; Shiva; Bhishaka; Anuttama; Gangaplavodaka; Bhaya; Pushkala; Sthapati; Sthira; Vijitatma; Vishayatma; Bhutavahana; Sarathi; Sagana; Ganakaya; Sukirti; Chinnasamshaya; Kamadeva; Kamapala; Bhasmoddhulita-vigraha; Bhasmapriya; Bhasmashyai; Kami; Kanta; Kritagama; Samavarta; Nivritatma; Dharmapunja; Sadashiva; Akalmasha; Chaturvahu; Durvasa; Durasada; Durlabha; Durgama; Durga; Sarvayudhavisharada; Adhyatmayoganilaya; Sutantu; Tantuvardhana. (200)

3. Shubhanga; Lokasaranga; Jagadisha; Janardana; Bhasmashuddhikara; Meru; Ojasvi; Shuddhavigraha; Asadhya; Sadhusadhya; Bhrityamarkatarupadhrika; Hiranyareta; Pourana; Ripujivahara; Bala; Mahahrada; Mahagarta; Vyali; Siddhavrindaravandita; Vyaghracharmambara; Mahabhuta; Mahanidhi; Amritasha; Amritavapu; Panchajanya; Prabhanjana; Panchavimshatitattvastha; Parijata; Para-vara; Sulabha; Suvrata; Shura; Brahmavedanidhi; Nidhi; Varnashramaguru; Varni; Shatrujita; Shatrutapana; Ashrama; Kshapana; Kshama; Jnanavana; Achaleshvara;Pramanabhuta; Durjneya; Suparna; Vayuvahana; Dhanurdhara; Dhanurveda; Gunarashi; Gunakara; Satyasatyapara; Dina; Dharmaga; Ananda; Dharmasadhana; Anantadrishti; Danda; Damayita; Dama; Abhivadya; Mahamaya; Vishvakarma; Visharada; Vitaraga; Vinitatma; Tapasvi; Bhutabhavana; Unmattavesha; Pracchanna; Jitakama; Ajitapriya; Kalyanaprakriti; Kalpa; Sarvalokaprajapati; Tarasvi; Tavaka; Dhimana; Pradhanaprabhu; Avyaya; Lokapala; Antarhitatma; Kalpadi; Kamalekshana; Vedashastrarthatattvajna; Aniyama; Niyatashraya; Chandra; Surya; Shani; Ketu; Varanga; Vidrumacchavi; Bhaktivashya; Anagha; Parabrahm-amrigavanarpana; Adri; Adryalaya; Kanta; Paramatma. (300)

4. Jagadguru; Sarvakarmalaya; Tushta; Mangalya; Mangalavrita; Mahatapa; Dirghatapa; Sthavishtha; Sthavira; Dhruva; Aha; Samvatsara; Vyapti; Pramana; Parmatapa; Samvatsarakara; Mantra-pratyaya; Sarvadarshana; Aja; Sarveshvara; Siddha; Mahareta; Mahabala; Yogi; Yogya; Siddhi; Mahateja; Sarvadi; Agraha; Vasu; Vasumana; Satya; Sarvapaphara; Sukirti; Shobhana; Shrimana; Avanmanasagochara; Amritashashvata; Shanta; Vanahasta; Pratapavana; Kamandalundhara; Dhanvi; Vedanga; Vedavita; Muni; Bhrajishnu; Bhojana; Bhokta; Lokanantha; Duradhara; Atindriya; Mahamaya; Sarvavasa; Chatushpatha; Kalayogi; Mahanada; Mahotsaha; Mahabala; Mahabuddhi; Mahavirya; Bhutachari; Purandara; Nishachara; Pretachari; Mahashakti; Mahadyuti; Ahirdeshyavapu; Shrimana; Sarvacharyamanogati; Vahushruta; Niyatatma; Dhruva; Adhruva; Sarvashaska; Ojastejodyutidara; Nartaka; Nrityapriya; Nrityanitya; Prakashatma; Prakashaka; Spashtakshara; Budha; Mantra; Samana; Sarasamplava; Yugadikrida; Yugavarta; Gambhira; Vrishavahana; Ishta; Vishishta; Shishteshta; Shalabha; Sharabha; Dhanu; Tirtharupa; Tirthanama; Tirthadrishya; Stuta. (400)

5. Arthada; Apamnidhi; Adhishthana; Vijaya; Jayakalavita; Pratishthita; Pramanajna; Hiranyakavacha; Hari; Vimochana; Suragana; Vidyesha; Vindusamshraya; Balarupa; Vikarta; Balonmatta; Gahana; Guha; Karana; Karta; Sarvabandhavimochana; Vyavasaya; Vyavasthana; Sthanada; Jagadadija; Guruda; Lalita; Abheda; Bhavatmatmasamsthita; Vireshvara; Virabhadra; Virasanavidhi; Virata; Virachudamani; Vetta; Tivrananda; Nadidhara; Ajnadhara; Tridhuli; Shipivishta; Shivalaya; Balakhilya; Mahachapa; Tigmamshu; Badhira; Khaga; Adhirma; Susharana; Subrahmanya; Sudhapati; Maghavana; Koushika; Gomana; Virama; Sarvasadhana; Lalataksha; Vishvadeha; Sara; Samsarachakrabhrita; Amoghadanda; Madhyastha; Hiranya; Brahmavarchasi; Paramartha; Para; Mayi; Shambara; Vyaghralochana; Ruchi; Virinchi; Svarbandhu; Vachaspati; Aharpati; Ravi; Virochana; Skanda; Shasta; Vaivasvata; Yama; Yukti; Unnatakirti; Sanuraga; Paranjaya; Kailashadhipati; Kanta; Savita; Ravilochana; Vidvattama; Vitabhaya; Vishvabharta; Anivarita; Nitya; Niyatakalyana; Punyashravanakirtana; Durashrava; Vishvasaha; Dhyeya; Duhsvapnanashana; Uttarana; Dushkritiha. (500)

• 6. Vijneya; Duhsaha; Bhava; Anadi ; Bhurbhuvakshi; Kiriti; Ruchirangada; Janana; Janajanmadi; Pritimana; Nitimana; Dhava; Vasishtha; Kashyapa; Bhanu; Bhima; Bhimaparakrama; Pranava; Satpatchachara; Mahakasha; Mahaghana; Janmadhipa; Mahadeva; Sakalagamaparaga; Tattva; Tattavit; Ekatma; Vibhu; Vishvavibhushana; Rishi; Brahmana; Aishvaryajanmamrityujaratiga; Panchayajnasamutpatti; Vishvesha; Vimalodaya; Atmayoni; Anadyanta; Vatsala; Bhaktalokadhrika; Gayatrivallabha; Pramshu; Vishvavasa; Prabhakara;; Shishu; Giriraha; Samrata; Sushena; Surashatruha; Amogha; Arishtanemi; Kumuda; Vigatajvara; Svayamjyoti; Tanujyoti; Achanchala; Atmajyoti; Pingala; Kapilashmashru; Bhalanetra; Trayitanu; Jnanaskandamahaniti; Vishvotipatti; Upaplava; Bhaga; Vivasvana; Aditya; Yogapara; Divaspati; Kalyanagunanama; Papaha; Punyadarshana; Udarakirti; Udyogi; Sadyogi; Sadasanmaya; Nakshatramali; Nakesha; Svadhishthanapadashraya; Pavitra; Paphari; Manipura; Nabhogati; Hrit; Pundarikasina; Shatru; Shranta; Vrishakapi; Ushna; Grihapati; Krishna; Paramartha; Anarthanashana; Adharmashatru; Ajneya; Puruhuta; Purushruta; Brahmagarbha; Vrihadgarbha; Dharmadhenu; Dhanagama. (600)

7. Jagaddhitaishi; Sugata; Kumara; Kushalagama; Hiranyavarna; Jyotishmana; Nanbhutarata; Dhvani; Araga; Nayandyaksha; Vishvamitra; Dhaneshvara; Brahmajyoti; Vasudhama; Mahajyotianuttama; Matamaha; Matarishva; Nabhasvana; Nagaharadhrika; Pulastya; Pulaha; Agastya; Jatukarnya; Parashara; Niravarananirvara; Vairanchya; Vishtarashrava; Atmabhu; Aniruddha; Atri; Jnanamurti; Mahayasha; Lokaviragranti; Vira; Chanda; Satyaparakrama; Vyalakapa; Mahakalpa; Kalpaviriksha; Kaladhara; Alankarishnu; Achala; Rochishnu; Vikramonnata; Ayuhshabdapati; Vegi; Plavana; Shikhisarathi; Asamsrishta; Atithi; Shatrupreamathi; Padapasana; Vasushrava; Pratapa; Havyavaha; Vishvabhojana; Japaya; Jaradishamana; Lohitatma; Tanunapata; Brihadashva; Nabhoyoni; Supratika; Tamisraha; Nidagha; Tapana; Megha; Svaksha; Parapuranjaya; Sukhanila; Sunishpanna; Surabhi; Shishiratmaka; Vasanta; Madhava; Grishma; Nabhasya; Vijavahana; Angira; Guru; Atreya; Vimala; Vishvavahana; Pavana; Sumati; Vidvana; Travidya; Naravahana; Manobuddhi; Ahamkara; Kshetrajna; Kshetrapalaka; Jamadagni; Balanidhi; Vigala; Vishvagalava; Aghora; Anuttara; Yajna; Shreye. (700)

8. Nishshreyahpatha; Shaila; Gaganakundabha; Danavari; Arindama; Rajanijanaka; Charuvishalya; Lokakalpadhrika; Chaturveda; Chatrubhava; Chatura; Chaturapriya; Amlaya; Samamlaya; Tirthavedashivalaya; Vahurupa; Maharupa; Sarvarupa; Charachara; Nyayanirmayaka; Nyayi; Nyayagamya; Nirantara; Sahasramurddha; Devendra; Sarvashastraprabhanjana; Munda; Virupa; Vikranta; Dandi; Danta; Gunottama; Pingalaksha; Janadhyaksha; Nilagriva; Niramaya; Sahasravahu; Sarvesha; Sharanya; Sarvalokadhrika; Padmasana; Paramjyoti; Parampara; Paramphala; Padmagarbha; Mahagarbha; Vishvagarbha; Vichakshana; Characharajna; Varada; Varesha; Mahabala; Devasuraguru; Deva; Devasuramahashraya; Devadideva; Devagni; Devagnisukhada; Prabhu; Devasureshvara; Divya; Devasuramaheshvara; Devadevamaya; Achintya; Devadevatmasambhava; Sadyoni; Asuravyaghra; Devasimha; Divakara; Vibudhagravara; Shreshtha; Sarvadevottamottama; Shivajnanarata; Shrimana; Shikhi-shriparvatapriya; Vajrahasta; Siddhakhadgi; Narasimhanipatana; Brahmachari; Lokachari; Dharmachari; Dhanadhipa; Nandi; Nandishvara; Ananta; Nagnavratadhara; Shuchi; Lingadhyaksha; Suradhyaksha; Yogadhyaksha; Yugavaha; Svadharma; Svargata; Svargakhara; Svaramayasvana; Vanadhyaksha; Vijakarta; Dharmakrit; Dharmasambhava; Dambha. (800)

• 9. Alobha; Arthavit; Shambhu; Sarvahbutamaheshvara; Shmashananilaya; Tryksha; Setu; Apratimakriti; Lokottaras-phutaloka; Trymbaka; Nagabhushana; Andhakari; Makhaveshi; Vishnukandharapatana; Hinadosha; Akshayaguna; Dakshari; Pushadantabhit; Dhurjati; Khandaparashu; Sakala; Nishkala; Anagha; Akala; Sakaladhara; Pandurabha; Mrida; Nata; Purna; Purayita; Punya; Sukumara; Sulochana; Samageyapriya; Akrura; Punyakirti; Anaymaya; Manojava; Tirthakara; Jatila; Jiviteshvara; Jivitantakara; Nitya; Vasureta; Vasuprada; Sadgati; Satkriti; Siddhi; Sajjati; Kalakantaka; Kaladhara; Mahakala; Bhuasatyapraryana; Lokalavanyakarta; Lokottarasukhalaya; Chandrasanjivana; Shasta; Lokaguda; Mahadhipa; Lokabandhu; Lokanatha; Kritajna; Krittibhushana; Anapaya; Akshara; Kanta; Sarvashastrahadvara; Tejomaya; Dyutidhara; Lokagranti; Anu; Shuchismita; Prasannatma; Durjjeya; Duratikrama; Jyotirmaya; Jagannatha; Nirakra; Jaleshvara; Tumbavina; Mahakopa; Vishoka; Shokanashana; Trllokapa; Trilokesha; Sarvashuddhi; Adhokshaja; Avyaktalakshana; Deva; Vyaktavyakta; Vishampati; Varashila; Varaguna; Saramandhana; Maya; Brahma; Vishnu; Prajapala; Hamsa; Hamsagati. (900)

10. Vaya; Vedha; Vidhata; Dhata; Srashta; Harta; Chaturmukha; Kailasa-Shikharavasi; Sarvavasi; Sadagati; Hiranyagarbha; Druhina; Bhutapa; Bhupati; Sadyogi; Yogavit; Yogi; Varada; Brahmanapriya; Devapriya; Devanatha; Devajna; Devachintaka; Vishamaksha; Vishalaksha; Vrishada; Vrishavardhana; Nirmama; Nirahamkara; Nirmoha; Nirupadrava; Darpha; Darpada; Dripta; Sarvabhutaparivartaka; Sahasrajit; Sahasrarchi; Prabhava; Snigddhaprakritidakshina; Bhutabhavyabhavannatha; Bhutinashana; Artha; Anartha; Mahakosha; Parakaryaikapandita; Nishkantaka; Kritananda; Nirvyaja; Vyajamardana; Sattvavana; Sattvika; Satyakirti; Snehakritagama; Akampita; Gunagrahi; Naikatma; Naikakarmakrit; Suprita; Sumukha; Suksha; Sukara; Dakshinaila; Nandiskandhadhara; Dhurya; Prakata; Pritivardhana; Aparajita; Sarvasattva; Govinda; Adhrita; Sattvavahana; Svadhrita; Siddha; Putamurti; Yashodhana; Varahabhringadhrika; Bhringi; Balavana; Ekanayaka; Shrutiprakasha; Shrutimana; Ekabandhu; Anekakrit; Shrivatsalashivarambha; Shantabhadra; Sama; Yasha; Bhushaya;Bhushana; Bhuti; Bhutakrit; Bhutabhavana; Akampa; Bhaktikaya; Kalaha; Nilalohita; Satyavrata; Mahatyagi; Nityashantiparayana; Pararthavritti; Vivikshu; Visharada; Shubhada; Shubhakarta; Shubhanama; Shubha; Anarthita; Aguna; Sakshi; Akarta. (1000)