Shloka 8

Mahādeva’s Boon: Unwavering Bhakti, Tri-functional Cosmos, and the Supratiṣṭhā of Liṅga-Arcā

Devanagari script

जानुभ्यामवनीं गत्वा पुनर्नारायणः स्वयम् प्रणिपत्य च विश्वेशं प्राह मन्दतरं वशी

Transliteration

jānubhyāmavanīṃ gatvā punarnārāyaṇaḥ svayam praṇipatya ca viśveśaṃ prāha mandataraṃ vaśī

Translation

ثم إن نارايانا نفسه عاد فهبط إلى الأرض على ركبتيه؛ وسجد سُجودًا تامًّا لفيشفِيشا—ربّ الكل—وهو كاظمٌ لنفسه، مُذلِّلٌ لكِبره، فتكلّم بنبرة ألطف.

Word by Word

• जानुभ्याम्: on (his) knees

• अवनीम्: to the earth/ground

• गत्वा: having gone

• पुनः: again

• नारायणः: Nārāyaṇa (Vishnu)

• स्वयम्: himself

• प्रणिपत्य: having prostrated/bowed down

• च: and

• विश्वेशम्: to Viśveśa (Shiva, Lord of the universe)

• प्राह: spoke/said

• मन्दतरम्: more gently/with greater softness

• वशी: self-controlled, subdued, disciplined

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating; describing Narayana’s action and speech)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Vishnu
• Vishveshvara

FAQs

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

It models the foundational posture of Linga-upāsanā: kneeling, prostration (praṇipāta), and softened speech—signs that the pashu (individual soul) is turning toward Pati (Shiva) for grace rather than asserting ego.

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

By naming Shiva as Viśveśa, it affirms Shiva-tattva as the supreme Lordship (aiśvarya) that governs all beings—including Nārāyaṇa—establishing Shiva as Pati, the universal sovereign beyond pride and rivalry.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Praṇipāta (full prostration) with vāṅ-niyama (disciplined, gentle speech) is highlighted—an outer and inner discipline aligned with Shaiva sādhanā, preparing the aspirant for Shiva’s anugraha (liberating grace).