The 64 Auspicious Names of the Great God, Shiva
The Maheshwara Murtham is a list of 64 names that describe the attributes of Shiva, the yogic archetypal God. Shiva is the expression of healthy, spiritual male energy. Rather than simply translating the names, I have conveyed the meaning of the names in couplet form in an attempt to provide a greater exposition of Shiva and His character.
1. Shivalingam
Shiva is the essence of masculine power,
vibrant life and compassion in full flower.
He manifests in the yogi — robust, graceful and brave,
the worldly man is just mundane convention’s slave.
2. Lingodbhava
From the formless, Shiva arose,
flames of vigor from head to toes.
The sun in the morning, the moon at night,
traversing the valley of the shadow, full of light.
3. Mukhalinga
With eyes on five faces, He sees everything,
healing those who suffer, dancing with those who sing.
Benevolent and kind, lavish as a breeze,
simple to approach, eager to please.
4. Sadashiva
The absolute Being, the primal One,
the foundation of All, Father and Son.
No words can describe, no thought can reach,
alone in His citadel, no fear can breach.
5. Maha Sadashiva
The God of all Gods, the villain and hero,
the fullness of infinity, the emptiness of zero.
Alpha and Omega, the great void and multiplicity of forms,
the ice that freezes, the fire that warms.
6. Umamaheshwara
Beloved of the Goddess born of the hills,
far from the world of toil and ills.
Mercurial, archaic, lush, and free
is Shiva’s beloved Sri Devi
7. Sukhasana
Shiva dwells satisfied, full and complete,
celebrating life, at ease in His yogic seat.
The seasons cycle, bringing sun, snow and rain,
He abides within, no loss and no gain.
8. Umesha
Handsome, heroic, daring and sweet,
worldly women see only His feet.
The windswept Goddess alone can abide
as His partner, indomitable by His side.
9. Somaskandha
A cave serves as the family home,
with Shiva & Uma absorbed in celestial Om.
Their son, Skandha, serves as their sentinel,
when the gods must battle, he is their General.
10. Vrishabhantika
As self-sovereign as Shiva may be alone,
a yogi needs a worthy throne.
Not of gold or silver or jewels full,
rather, a fierce ride — Nandi the bull.
11. Chandrashekara
His primal appearance gives the worldly ones a scare,
His shakti manifest in His unkept hair.
No tokens of fortune to make the greedy swoon,
His only adornment, the crescent moon.
12. Bhujangalalita
Shiva hoards no wealth in security’s name,
His treasures are His yogis, who share His cosmic game.
Around His shoulders, primordial and awake,
a gorgeous, dynamic cobra snake.
13. Sadanritta
Shiva is ever found in His beloved’s dance hall,
answering Her pulsing, rhythmic call.
His powerful steps, so magnificently sublime,
His feet crushing the fear of time.
14. Gangavisarjana
Like a river flowing to the sea,
He knows moksha, the penultimate luxury.
Catching heaven’s rain in His locks,
Ganga flows, where pilgrims flock.
15. Ardhanarishvara
A person is a man or woman, he or she,
but Shiva can combine with Parvati.
One being, one heart, one truth, one love,
Their union extends to infinity, below and above.
16. Vrishabharudara
When Shiva sits atop his ride,
trepidation, doubt, guilt, and regret hide.
Nandi takes Him where He wishes to be,
traveling to wherever He can relieve misery.
17. Bhujangatrasa
In one hand He holds a snake,
symbol of inspiration one cannot fake.
In another a drum, yet another holds fire,
and one blesses His feral yogis with what they desire.
18. Chandathandava
A soldier needs weapons and martial strategy
to overcome the strength of the enemy.
Shiva’s might is in His dance of destruction,
eliminating fear is His movements function.
19. Tripurantaka
A majestic act among His spectacular deeds,
when Shiva takes the reigns of His four steeds.
On His chariot, with stallions in formation,
The Rider inspires passionate adoration.
20. Gajasurasamhara
No matter the form in which fear may rise,
Shiva sees through its mask of disguise.
Even when hidden in elephant form,
He vanquishes its blaze like a rain storm.
21. Sandhyanritta
Dancing with His beloved wife,
destroying hesitation that constricts the flow of life.
Playing His drum, the two-sided damaru,
His madness is infectious through and through.
22. Gangadhara
Rain falls from heaven to bless the Earth,
bringing renewal and fresh rebirth.
Ganga falls from above with such great power,
Shiva’s dreadlocks help Her become a gentle shower.
23. Kalyanasundhara
The virile Shiva is without peer,
of yoni’s potency He has no fear.
His heart is His only guide,
He cherishes living by the Mountain Goddess’s side.
24. Jvarabhagna
The human form has arms and legs totaling four,
Shiva’s desires require more.
Three each of arms, legs, and faces, indeed,
dancing in bliss expresses His creed.
25. Shardhulahara
Cloth of many forms covers the man clinging to earth,
not yet liberated from the cycle of death and birth.
Shiva is adorned with a tiger skin,
He roars in the forest bereft of sin.
26. Keshavartha
He will destroy and He will sustain,
He is Shiva and Vishnu, one and the same.
He flies on an eagle and rides on a bull,
drum and chakra make Him complete and full.
27. Chandishanugraha
The worldly beg heaven for petty things,
when they could ask Shiva for what He brings —
The Kamadhenu cow, who grants all wishes;
health, wisdom, devotion: the real riches.
28. Vinadharadakshina
Life without music does not deserve the name,
without song and dance, who could express love’s game?
Shiva plays His vina and all the worlds resound
with His joyous, ecstatic, irresistible sound.
29. Lakulishvara
Composed and serene is the King of sages,
sitting in meditation throughout the ages.
Shiva holds his drum and trident, the trishul,
the Master teacher in love’s wisdom school.
30. Vaduka
Shiva does not horde temporal wealth,
no worry for the ‘morrow stresses His health.
A snake and beggar’s bowl supplies His needs,
His occupation is benevolent deeds.
31. Aghorastra
Shiva is dark to the worldly boy,
to the yogic man He is the source of joy.
Terrifying to those who cling,
freedom’s bell He does loudly ring.
32. Guru
By the divine bubbling spring of wisdom and love,
Shiva looks down from heaven above.
He comes Himself, or in mercy’s reach
He sends His yogis into the world to teach.
33. Jalandharavata
Like a sacred river flowing free,
Shiva descends from the mountains to the sea.
Uncovering whatever fear may arise,
He burns it to ash with His three eyes.
34. Ekapadha
Before the unknown, the fear-based shiver,
marching in line hoping conformity will deliver.
Shiva, the misfit, bumbles wherever he goes,
spinning, falling, playing, dancing on His toes.
35. Gaurililasamanvita
Although Shiva knows loneliness as intimacy,
out of love He takes on a family.
Skanda the elder, Ganesha the younger son,
along with His wife, Gauri, the Golden One.
36. Brahmashirachetha
Brahma, the Creator, and Vishnu, Sustainer,
had a contest as to who was greater.
Brahma did not abide by fair play,
so Shiva took his worship away.
37. Varahasamhara
Shiva is gentle and kind to all,
and He will protect those who call.
When the ogre of violence must be killed,
He is the slayer, in order that peace be fulfilled.
38. Shishyabhava
Shiva and the Daughter of the Mountains
bring forth yoga from wisdom’s fountains.
When the aspirant cries out, no matter the mess,
Shiva answers with initiation into yogic success.
39. Pashupatha
The common man is like a beast,
stuffing his ego on all he can feast.
Shiva is the master of the worrisome animal,
He is carefree, the world is His carnival.
40. Bhikshatana
The worldly man dresses according to society’s demands,
Shiva is always naked, sky-clad He stands.
Neither profit or loss can make Him sway,
He remains content with whatever life brings His way.
41. Vyakyanadakshina
Should anyone upset a yogi in meditation,
no matter where or when, in whatever nation,
Shiva responds with a forceful show,
eliminating the source of His devotee’s woe.
42. Kalanthakara
Gentle and compassionate are Shiva’s eyes,
His vision permeates all, like the skies.
He vows to protect the yogis, this is His rule,
He arises from fire to destroy those who are cruel.
43. Bhairava
Ego makes rules and expects of others the same,
but Shiva lives life as a spontaneous game.
He rides on a dog and scoffs when the ego demands
that He should accept its miserable, dictatorial commands.
44. Kshetrapala
The universe contains worlds beyond number,
watched over by Shiva, who does not slumber.
He safeguards the field of all activity,
with a dog by His side to keep Him company.
45. Dakshayagyahara
Human life is volatile and brief,
the foolish search the world for some relief.
Shiva knows only the eternal will satisfy,
understanding that all inevitably die.
46. Ashvaruda
In the fields of creation, Shiva does roam,
immersed in Nature’s ever-changing home.
Through the wind He rides on the mount of a horse,
nimble, innocent, with no determined course.
47. Ekapadatrimurti
Shiva has a thunderbolt physique,
effulgent, well-endowed, charming, unique.
His beauty encompasses all majesties,
He embodies Brahma, Vishnu, and all deities.
48. Gaurivaraprada
Shiva’s meditation cannot be disturbed,
He settles into peace unperturbed.
And yet, He will arise from His seat
to bow before His beloved Gauri’s golden feet.
49. Vishapaharana
Shiva reclines on Nature’s bed,
His beloved Goddess sits at His head.
Seeking the jewel of love’s hidden treasures
Adventurously excavating creation’s pleasures.
50. Kurmasamhara
Shiva’s presence is everywhere,
His detachment enables Him to have no care.
Vishnu, sustaining balance, is verily His double,
He is found on land or sea, wherever there is trouble.
51. Prarthana
Petty needs and desires do not make a life,
there is no fulfillment, yet ample strife.
Shiva smiles, relaxes, and enjoys without end,
He leisurely dallies with His wife, lover, best friend.
52. Kankala
Relationships arise and then they abort,
one whose aim is clear needs no support.
Shiva provides the example for yogis to follow,
alone in the Now, no past or tomorrow.
53. Simhaghna
When a lion is sleeping, the jungle is still,
when the king of beasts hunts, he prepares for the kill.
Shiva with three heads of a lion is cause of celebration,
He is predacious to what would delay liberation.
54. Yogadakshina
Every yogi has a guru, a connection to the whole,
an inner shepherd bringing identity with his soul.
The guru of all Gurus is none but He,
Shiva, the guide, for all eternity.
55. Kamadahana
The erotic life for the worldly man is confusing and frustrating,
not knowing how to retain his seed, he finds sex debilitating.
Shiva burns lust to ash from His third eye’s fire,
lovemaking for Him is without avaricious desire.
56. Apatuttarana
The ordinary man needs others to meet his social need,
feeling weak and inferior, he clings with desperate greed.
Shiva walks the forest path with staff and bowl in hand,
alone, yet not lonely, singing with the heart of gold band.
57. Virabhadra
Shiva brings peace with each of His steps,
His felicity permeates to the very depths.
He seeks not war, but when required in life’s course,
He is victorious, armed with overwhelming force.
58. Kiratha
In this form, Shiva appears with arrows and bow,
He hunts the monsters of fear wherever they may go.
To the yogis who are devoted, humble and kind,
Shiva helps them stalk their own terrors, yielding peace of mind.
59. Gajantika
The elephant is immense, stalwart, and commanding,
a companion for Shiva, who accepts all without demanding.
This mighty creature can pull trees asunder,
yet meekly adores Shiva in all of His wonder.
60. Tripadatrimurti
The labor of Brahma is world creating,
the work of Vishnu is world maintaining.
Shiva, abiding in the eternal, cosmic dance hall,
dances on one leg, dissolving all.
61. Chakradanasvarupa
Vishnu throws his chakra when the axis of balance tips,
he received this weapon and instruction from Shiva’s lips.
Mortal beings sway, sometimes sad and sometimes jolly,
but Shiva remains beyond, immersed in love’s eternal folly.
62. Garudanthika
The vastness of the sky above reflects infinity,
reminding the souls of their inherent divinity.
The celestial eagle, Garuda, takes Shiva on a universal tour,
to love’s apex and zenith, on winds of mystery they soar.
63. Matsyasamhara
In the forest, He is a lion, in the ocean, a fish,
taking whatever forms His devotees wish.
Numberless His incarnations, unlimited His being,
wandering through the universe, love’s songs ever singing.
64. Rakthabhikshapradana
The Unborn One is renewed with every inhalation’s birth,
exhaling expresses His omnipotence and His untamed mirth.
The universe of His daring escapades must be replete,
so blood and death play their part, that the drama be complete.
