Shloka 164

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

कोटिभास्करसंकाशं जटामुकुटमण्डितम् ज्वालामालावृतं दिव्यं तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रं भयङ्करम्

Transliteration

koṭibhāskarasaṃkāśaṃ jaṭāmukuṭamaṇḍitam jvālāmālāvṛtaṃ divyaṃ tīkṣṇadaṃṣṭraṃ bhayaṅkaram

Translation

كان يلمعُ كضياءِ كُرورٍ من الشموس، متوَّجًا بتاجِ الجَطا (خُصلِ الشعرِ المعقودة)، محاطًا بإكليلٍ من اللهيب، إلهيًّا—ذو أنيابٍ حادّة، مهيبًا مُرعِبًا.

Word by Word

• koṭi-bhāskara-saṃkāśam: radiant like ten million suns

• jaṭā-mukuṭa-maṇḍitam: adorned with a crown of matted hair

• jvālā-mālā-āvṛtam: enveloped/encircled by a garland of flames

• divyam: divine, transcendent

• tīkṣṇa-daṃṣṭram: with sharp fangs

• bhayaṅkaram: fearsome, causing awe/terror (to evil and ignorance)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya; describing Rudra’s manifested form within the chapter’s narrative)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva as pure tejas (spiritual radiance) and transformative fire, encouraging the worshipper to approach the Linga not as a mere emblem but as Pati—the blazing Consciousness that burns pasha (bondage) and protects the devotee.

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

Shiva-tattva is presented as overwhelming luminosity (beyond ordinary perception) and as a fearsome grace: terrifying to ignorance and adharmic forces, yet divine and protective for the pashu (individual soul) seeking refuge in Pati.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The imagery supports Pashupata-oriented contemplation (dhyana) on Rudra’s tejas—visualizing the Lord as flame-encircled radiance—used to intensify vairagya and dissolve fear-based pasha through surrender and mantra-japa in Shiva-puja.