Shiva Mahimna Stotra

Shloka 28

Meaning: O Deva (Lord Shiva)!  Bhava, Sharva, Rudra, Pashupati, Ugra, Sahamahana, Bhima, and Ishana are your eight names.  Shruti (scriptures) establishes that each of your eight names is noteworthy.  You are the most beloved and refuge of all. I salute you with my heart and soul.                                                                   

Reflections: In this shloka, Pushpadanta refers to the eight names and forms of Lord Shiva which have been mentioned in the Shiva Purana.  Each of the eight names represents a special form of Lord Shiva. All the eight forms combined become the manifested form of Lord Shiva which is the whole universe. Let us learn the meaning and the significance of each name and form.

(1) Bhava (Water-Form):  This name signifies the creation of the universe. Scientists also say that if there is water in a planet, then there is a possibility of a creation of life. Scriptures mention that the earth came out from the water. The Sanskrit word for the water is ‘Jala’. The ‘ja’ represents the creation of the universe and ‘la’ represents the dissolution of the universe. Thus, the word ‘jala’ tells us that the universe comes from the water and merges in the water. Therefore, the Lord Shiva’s name ‘Bhava’ represents the Water element of the universe.

(2) Sharva (Earth-Form):  One who is a refuge of all or an abode of all is Sharva. The Earth holds us all and it is an abode of all of us. It gives us food and thus nourishes us. That is why, the Lord Shiva’s name ‘Sharva’ represents the Earth element of the universe.

(3) Rudra (Fire-Form): Rudra creates terror and punishes the wrong-doers. We find in the Shri Shuklayajurvediya Rudrashtadhyayi (5.1) the following:

“O Rudra! I salute you and your ‘manyu’. I salute to your mighty arms and your arrows.”    

The literary meaning of ‘manyu’ is anger.  Here the meaning is the punishment to the wrongdoers.  The calamities of nature are the arrows of the Rudra. Since anger is like a fire that destroys everything, the Lord Shiva’s name Rudra represents the Fire element of the universe.                                      

(4) Pashupati (Consciousness-Form): The word ‘pashu’ literally means animal. Our senses and the projected characteristics or all the material existence (kshetra) are also referred to as ‘pashu’. All the things which are bounded by ignorance are included in the category of ‘pashu’.

The Sanskrit word for bondage is ‘pasha’. Sri Ramakrishna used to say that ‘Pashabaddha Jiva’ and ‘Pashamukta Shiva’; meaning one who is bounded by ignorance and desires is called ‘jiva’ and one who is free from all the bondages is called ‘Shiva’.

When the Jiva becomes free from all its bondages, then It realizes its own divine nature as ‘Atman’ which is the same as Brahman. Lord Shiva is Brahman or Pure Consciousness. Thus, Lord Shiva is called ‘Pashupati’, the Lord of Pashus, or the Ultimate goal of Pashus. 

(5) Ugra (Wind-Form): The word ‘Ugra’ represents the wind-form of Lord Shiva which supports us from inside and outside. It is vibrant and mighty.

(6) Sahamahana or Mahadeva (Moon-Form): ‘Mahana’ means supreme. ‘Sahamahana’ means along with the supreme. Thus, ‘Sahamahana’ reminds Lord Shiva’s another name ‘Mahadeva’, one who dwells with supreme power. The scriptures connect Mahadeva with the mighty mind and the mighty mind with the moon. Thus, ‘Sahamahana’ or ‘Mahadeva’ represents the Moon-Form of Lord Shiva.

(7) Bhima (Space-Form): The word ‘Bhima’ refers to something huge which covers everything. The sky is all pervading. Therefore, ‘Bhima” represents the ‘Space-Form’ of Lord Shiva. 

(8) Ishana (Sun-Form): The word ‘Ishana’ stands for something that is luminous. It also means the controller or the supporter of all. It also refers to the intellect through which we get knowledge.

Thus, these eight names and forms of Lord Shiva cover 5 elements, mind, intellect, and Jiva. Each individual consists of these eight forms.

In the Bhagavad Gita, we find similar eight parts of Prakriti.

In Shrimad Bhagavad Gita (7.4), Shir Krishna says, “Earth, water, fire, wind, space, mind, intellect, and ego – these are My Eight-fold Prakriti.”

Shri Pushpadanta says that Lord Shiva, the Manifested Brahman, is most beloved to His devotee and the devotee salutes Him with his/her heart and soul.