Śiva Sahasranāma

The Śiva Sahasranāma is a Hindu litany containing 1,000 names of Shiva, each describing one of his attributes or cosmic functions. It is the Shaiva counterpart of the Viṣṇu Sahasranāma.

Overview

The hymn is embedded within the Śiva Purāṇa and the Viṣṇu Purāṇa (in a dialogue between Śiva and Vishnu), and it is also preserved in the Mahābhārata. It consists of a series of verses listing the thousand names of Shiva, each capturing an aspect of his divine nature.

Content and Structure

Each name of Shiva encapsulates a divine quality: “Śiva” (auspicious one), “Maheśvara” (great lord), “Paśupati” (lord of creatures), “Nīlakaṇṭha” (blue-throated one), “Dakṣiṇāmūrti” (the teacher facing south), and so forth. The names are organized in verse form and are recited as part of Shaiva worship and meditation. The hymn also includes benedictory and concluding verses.

Significance

The Śiva Sahasranāma is one of the most important devotional texts in Shaivism, recited daily in temples and homes throughout the Shaiva traditions. It has been commentated upon by leading Shaiva theologians and is an integral part of Śaiva Siddhānta worship.

Verification Notes

• Preserved in multiple sources including the Śiva Purāṇa, Viṣṇu Purāṇa, and Mahābhārata.
• Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).