Shloka 26

Upamanyu’s Tapas, Shiva’s Indra-Form Test, and the Bestowal of Kshiroda and Gaṇapatya

Devanagari script

सहैव चारुह्य तदा द्विपं तं प्रगृह्य वालव्यजनं विवस्वान् /* वामेन शच्या सहितं सुरेन्द्रं करेण चान्येन सितातपत्रम्

Transliteration

sahaiva cāruhya tadā dvipaṃ taṃ pragṛhya vālavyajanaṃ vivasvān /* vāmena śacyā sahitaṃ surendraṃ kareṇa cānyena sitātapatram

Translation

عندئذٍ صعد فيفَسْوان (إله الشمس) على ذلك الفيل البهيّ، ورفع مروحةً من ذَنَبِ الياك؛ وبيده اليسرى خدم إندرا مع شَتشي، وبالأخرى حمل المظلّةَ الملكيةَ البيضاء، مؤدّيًا التكريم الإلهي في الموكب السماوي.

Word by Word

• सह एव: together, indeed

• चारुह्य: having mounted

• तदा: then

• द्विपम्: elephant

• तम्: that

• प्रगृह्य: having taken/holding

• वालव्यजनम्: yak-tail fan (chāmara)

• विवस्वान्: Vivasvān, the Sun-god

• वामेन: with the left (hand)

• शच्या सहितम्: accompanied by Śacī

• सुरेन्द्रम्: Indra, lord of the gods

• करेण: with (a) hand

• च: and

• अन्येन: with the other

• सितातपत्रम्: white parasol (royal umbrella).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Vivasvan (Surya)
• Indra
• Shachi (Indrani)

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

Though not a direct liṅga-pūjā injunction, the verse models “sammāna” (reverential service) through chāmara and white parasol—an archetype later mirrored in Śiva-pūjā upacāras, where honor offered outwardly becomes inner devotion toward Pati (Śiva).

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Indirectly, it shows the Purāṇic principle that even the highest Devas operate within ordered ranks and ceremonial duty; Shaiva Siddhānta reads this as a contrast to Śiva as Pati—transcendent Lord beyond such offices—while Devas remain pashu-like dependents under cosmic governance.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The highlighted practice is formal honor (upacāra) and auspicious royal emblems (chāmara, chatra), which correspond to external pūjā services; in a yogic reading, disciplined reverence and humility loosen pasha (bondage) by turning the mind toward the supreme Pati rather than worldly status.