The Shiva sahasranama is a list of a thousand names of Shiva, one of the most important deities in Hinduism. In Hindu tradition a sahasranama is a type of devotional hymn (Sanskrit: stotra) listing many names of a deity. The names provide an exhaustive catalog of the attributes, functions, and major mythology associated with the figure being praised. The Shiva Sahasranama is found in Shiv Mahapuran and many other scriptures such as Linga Purana. As per Shiv Mahapuran when Vishnu was unable to defeat the demons after many attempts he prayed to Shiv who granted him the Sudarshan Chakra for fighting the demons.