Shloka 37

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

Devanagari script

तेषां भावं ततो ज्ञात्वा देवस्तानिदमब्रवीत् मा वो ऽस्तु पशुभावे ऽस्मिन् भयं विबुधसत्तमाः

Transliteration

teṣāṃ bhāvaṃ tato jñātvā devastānidamabravīt mā vo 'stu paśubhāve 'smin bhayaṃ vibudhasattamāḥ

Translation

ثم لما عرف الربُّ ما في قلوبهم قال لهم: «يا أفضلَ الحكماء من بين الدِّيفا، لا يكن لكم خوفٌ في هذه الحال من كونكم بَشو (paśu)، أي النفوس المقيَّدة.»

Word by Word

• तेषाम् (teṣām): of them

• भावम् (bhāvam): inner state, disposition

• ततः (tataḥ): then

• ज्ञात्वा (jñātvā): having known, understanding

• देवः (devaḥ): the Lord (Pati, the Divine)

• तान् (tān): to them

• इदम् (idam): this

• अब्रवीत् (abravīt): said, spoke

• मा (mā): do not

• वः (vaḥ): for you

• अस्तु (astu): let there be

• पशुभावे (paśu-bhāve): in the state/condition of being a paśu (bound soul)

• अस्मिन् (asmin): in this

• भयम् (bhayam): fear

• विबुधसत्तमाः (vibudha-sattamāḥ): O best among the enlightened/wise (addressing the devas).

Speaker

Deva (Pati—Lord Shiva speaking within Suta’s narration)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Devas

FAQs

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

It frames the devotee’s condition as paśu-bhāva (bonded individuality) and points to the Lord as Pati who grants abhaya; Linga worship is thus approached as surrender to Shiva’s grace that loosens pāśa (bondage).

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

Shiva is shown as the compassionate Pati who directly knows the inner disposition of beings and dispels fear—indicating omniscience and anugraha (grace) as central features of Shiva-tattva.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway aligns with Pashupata orientation: recognizing oneself as paśu and cultivating fearlessness through devotion and reliance on Pati’s anugraha, which supports disciplined worship and inner steadiness in sadhana.