Shloka 81

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

Devanagari script

पिप्पलायतनश्चैव तथा ह्यङ्गारकाशनः शिथिलः शिथिलास्यश् च अक्षपादो ह्यजः कुजः

Transliteration

pippalāyatanaścaiva tathā hyaṅgārakāśanaḥ śithilaḥ śithilāsyaś ca akṣapādo hyajaḥ kujaḥ

Translation

هو الذي مقامُه عند شجرة البيپّلا (الأشوَتثا) المقدّسة؛ وهو الذي يلتهم الجمر المتّقد (من نار القربان)؛ وهو غيرُ المقيَّد؛ وهو الذي فمُه مسترخٍ ساكن؛ وهو الذي قدماه لا تبليان؛ وهو غيرُ المولود؛ وهو المعروف باسم «كوجا»—قوّة ناريّة كالمريخ.

Word by Word

• पिप्पलायतनः: whose abode/shrine is the pippala (aśvattha) tree

• च एव: and indeed

• तथा हि: and also/indeed

• अङ्गारक-आशनः: eater/consumer of embers (glowing coals), i.e., acceptor of fiery offerings

• शिथिलः: loosened, unbound, relaxed (free from bonds/constraints)

• शिथिलास्यः: one with a relaxed/serene mouth or countenance

• च: and

• अक्षपादः: one whose feet are imperishable/unfailing (akṣa = imperishable

• हि: indeed

• अजः: unborn

• कुजः: Kuja (a name linked to Mars/fiery energy

Speaker

Suta Goswami (reciting the Shiva Sahasranama to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It supplies specific Sahasranama epithets used in Linga-puja and japa, linking Shiva to sacred abodes (pippala) and to agni-offerings—showing that the Linga is worshipped both in temple-space and through Vedic fire-rites.

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

By calling Him ‘Unborn’ (aja) and ‘unbound/relaxed’ (śithila), the verse points to Shiva as Pati—self-existent, untouched by pasha (bondage), and the imperishable ground of all powers, even those symbolized by fiery force (kuja).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Homa-bhakti is implied through ‘aṅgārakāśana’ (consumer of embers), while ‘śithila’ suggests the yogic release of tension and bondage—an inner Pashupata-oriented detachment offered to Shiva alongside outer worship.