Shloka 33

Adhyaya 72 — Puradāha: Rudra’s Cosmic Chariot, Pāśupata-Vrata, and Brahmā’s Shiva-Stuti

Devanagari script

ततो ऽश्वांश्चोदयामास मनोमारुतरंहसः पुराण्युद्दिश्य खस्थानि दानवानां तरस्विनाम्

Transliteration

tato 'śvāṃścodayāmāsa manomārutaraṃhasaḥ purāṇyuddiśya khasthāni dānavānāṃ tarasvinām

Translation

ثم حثّ خيوله—السريعة كالفكر والريح—قاصدًا الحصون العتيقة القائمة في السماء، حصونَ الدانافا ذوي البأس.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• aśvān: horses

• codayāmāsa: he urged/impelled

• manaḥ-māruta-raṃhasaḥ: having the speed of mind and wind

• purāṇi: ancient/primeval (fortresses/strongholds)

• uddiśya: having aimed at/with the intention of

• kha-sthāni: situated in the sky/aerial

• dānavānām: of the Dānavas (demonic clan)

• tarasvinām: of the powerful/impetuous/strong

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Danavas

FAQs

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

It frames the cosmic struggle where adharmic powers build “aerial strongholds,” while the divine order moves to dismantle them—mirroring how Linga-worship aligns the devotee (pashu) with Pati to break pasha (bondage) and remove inner fortresses of ego and obstruction.

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

Though Shiva is not named, the Purāṇic theme is Shaiva: Shiva-tattva as Pati is the supreme regulator of cosmic order, empowering righteous forces to subdue destructive tendencies; the “mind-and-wind speed” hints at the transcendence and immediacy of divine will that overcomes tamasic resistance.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse suggests the yogic principle of swift, one-pointed intention (uddishya) aimed at dismantling bondage—akin to Pāśupata discipline where focused sādhanā and Shiva-bhakti rapidly pierce inner “strongholds” (kha-sthāni) of distraction and pride.