समेधयति यन् नित्यं सर्वार्थान् सर्वकर्मसु ॥
शिवम् इच्छन् मनुष्याणां तस्माद् एश शिवः स्मृतः ॥
सहस्राक्षो ऽयुताक्षो वा सर्वतोक्षिमयो ऽपि वा ॥
यच् च विश्वं महत् पाति महादेवस् ततः स्मृतः ॥
दहत्य् ऊर्ध्वं स्थितो यच् च प्राणोत्पत्तिस्थितश् च यत् ॥
स्थितलिङ्गश् च यन् नित्यं तस्मात् स्थाणुर् इति स्मृतः ॥
samedhayati yan nityaṃ sarvārthān sarvakarmasu ||
śivam icchan manuṣyāṇāṃ tasmād eśa śivaḥ smṛtaḥ ||
sahasrākṣo 'yutākṣo vā sarvatokṣimayo 'pi vā ||
yac ca viśvaṃ mahat pāti mahādevas tataḥ smṛtaḥ ||
dahaty ūrdhvaṃ sthito yac ca prāṇotpattisthitaś ca yat ||
sthitaliṅgaś ca yan nityaṃ tasmāt sthāṇur iti smṛtaḥ ||
"Since he ever fosters all aims in all endeavors, wishing good to people, therefore he is called Shiva. Thousand-eyed, or ten-thousand-eyed, or wholly made of eyes; and since he protects the great universe, therefore he is called Mahadeva. Since, standing upright, he burns, and stands as the source and support of life [prana], and since his linga stands eternally, therefore he is called Sthanu [the pillar]."
7f654d191917 · published Jul 19, 2026, 5:12:46 PM UTC
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The very name 'Shiva' -- 'the benevolent' -- is explained through his essence: he wishes good to people and fosters every good deed. It is significant that the terrible Rudra is at his depth a benefactor: behind the terror is mercy. The verse teaches that the true nature of the Supreme is benevolence, and even his chastisement serves the good; and one who understands that behind the name 'Shiva' stands goodwill toward all sees in him not fear, but hope.