Shloka 72

Adhyaya 84: शिवव्रतकथनम्

Uma–Maheshvara Vrata, Shula-dana, and Month-wise Ekabhakta Vrata

Devanagari script

नरः कृत्वा व्रतं चैव शिवसायुज्यमाप्नुयात् नारी देव्या न संदेहः शिवेन परिभाषितम्

Transliteration

naraḥ kṛtvā vrataṃ caiva śivasāyujyamāpnuyāt nārī devyā na saṃdehaḥ śivena paribhāṣitam

Translation

الرجل إذا التزم بهذا النذر على وجهه نال «سايوجيا»؛ أي الاتحاد التامّ مع الربّ شيفا. والمرأة كذلك تناله بواسطة الإلهة؛ لا شكّ في ذلك—هكذا صرّح شيفا بنفسه.

Word by Word

• नरः (naraḥ): a man

• कृत्वा (kṛtvā): having performed/undertaken

• व्रतं (vrataṃ): a vow, religious observance

• च एव (caiva): and indeed

• शिवसायुज्यम् (śiva-sāyujyam): union/identity with Śiva, sāyujya-mukti

• आप्नुयात् (āpnuyāt): may attain/obtains

• नारी (nārī): a woman

• देव्या (devyā): through the Devī, by the Goddess (Śakti)

• न (na): not

• संदेहः (saṃdehaḥ): doubt

• शिवेन (śivena): by Śiva

• परिभाषितम् (paribhāṣitam): stated, proclaimed, authoritatively spoken

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s stated assurance within the vrata context)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Devi
• Shakti

FAQs

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

It frames vrata (disciplined observance associated with Śiva’s worship) as a direct means to Śiva-sāyujya, emphasizing that sincere Śaiva practice culminates in liberation by Śiva’s grace.

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

Śiva is presented as Pati—the liberating Lord who grants sāyujya. Liberation is not merely merit-based; it is confirmed as Śiva’s own proclamation, highlighting His sovereignty and anugraha (saving grace).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Vrata (vowed observance) is highlighted as a Śaiva discipline aligned with Pāśupata-style self-restraint and devotion, cutting pāśa (bondage) for the pashu (individual soul) through Śiva-Śakti’s salvific power.