Shiv Sahastra Naam

Shiv Sahastra Naam

There are more than two versions of Shiv Sahastra Naam - one unique set of names in Shiv Puraan and one unique set of names in Rudrayaamal. Otherwise there are many versions of the Shiv Sahastra Naam, but the version appearing in Book 13 (Anushaasan Parv) of the Mahaabhaarat is considered the kernel of this tradition.

(1) Ling Puraan - version 1 (Ling Puraan 1:65:54-168) is close to the Mahaabhaarat Anushaasan Parv version. Taught by Krishn to Maarkandeya Muni.

(2) Ling Puraan - version 2 (Ling Puraan 1:98:27-159) has some passages in common with Ling Puraan version 1, but also with other sources.

(3) Shiv Puraan - In Koti Rudra Sanhitaa - 4:35:1-131.

(4) Mahaabhaarat - Shaanti Parv version - The critical edition of the Mahaabhaarat does not include this version, relegating it to Appendix 28 to Shaanti Parv. It does appear in the text of the Gita Press edition as 12:284:68-180.

(5) Mahaabhaarat - Anushaasan Parv Version (13:17:30-150) - In the version that occurs in Book 13 of the Mahaabhaarat, Krishn recites the 1,008 names of Shiv to Yudhishthir. After hearing the 1,000 names of Vishnu, Yudhishthir requests Bheeshm to teach him the names of Shiv also, but Bheeshm admitted his ignorance and requested him to ask Krishn. As this book gives 1008 names of Lord Shiv; while 45 names are repeated twice, 11 are repeated thrice and three names are repeated four times. Readers may observe that different meanings are given to these repetitions.

(6) Vaayu Puraan (1:30:179-284) - is almost the same as the Mahaabhaarat Shaanti Parv version.

(7) Brahmaand Puraan (38:1:1-100) - is almost the same as the Vaayu Puraan version.

(8) Mahaa Bhaagavat Upa-puraan (67:1-125) - appears to be of comparatively recent origin.

(9) Shiv Rahasya Itihaas - This is a rarely-published version of the Shiv Sahastra Naam, it appears, with minor differences, in the Rudra Yaamal Tantra also

Some overlapping of names of Shiv Sahastra Naam with the Vishnu Sahastra Naam has led Aadi Shankaraachaarya to conclude that Shiv and Vishnu are both identical, as both forms of one personal God, or Sa-Gun Brahm, a conclusion that is a central tenet of A-Dwait or Smarta Hinduism.

In fact, one of the names of Shiv, recited in the Mahaabhaarat version states, that "He is in form of Vishnu who floats on the waters after the universal dissolution."

Web Sites for Shiv Sahastra Naam

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=7iRdzHQqrC4 [from Padm Puraan]
http://sanskrit.safire.com/Sanskrit.html#Sahasranama

I have always been under the impression that there are 4: Chaitra, Shaakambharee, Gangaa, and Shaaradeeya.