Shloka 53

उमास्वयंवरः / भवोद्वाहः, गणसमागमः, अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्यम्, तथा विनायक-उत्पत्तिसूचना

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मणा मुनिभिः सार्धं देवदेवमुमापतिम् देवो ऽपि देवीमालोक्य सलज्जां हिमशैलजाम्

Transliteration

brahmaṇā munibhiḥ sārdhaṃ devadevamumāpatim devo 'pi devīmālokya salajjāṃ himaśailajām

Translation

Zusammen mit Brahmā und den Weisen traten die Devas an den Gott der Götter heran, Umāpati (Śiva). Und selbst jener Deva (Śiva), als er die Göttin —Pārvatī, die Himalaya-Geborene— in züchtiger Scheu stehen sah, blickte sie mit ehrfürchtiger Aufmerksamkeit an.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मणा: with Brahmā

• मुनिभिः: with sages

• सार्धम्: together

• देवदेवम्: the God of gods

• उमापतिम्: the Lord of Umā (Śiva)

• देवः अपि: even the Deva (Śiva)

• देवीम्: the Goddess

• आलोक्य: having beheld/seeing

• सलज्जाम्: modest, bashful

• हिमशैलजाम्: the daughter of the हिमशैल (Himālaya), i.e., Pārvatī

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the episode within the Linga Purana’s Purva-Bhaga)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati (Uma)
• Brahma
• Munis (Sages)
• Devas

FAQs

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

It frames Śiva (Pati) as approached with Brahmā and the ṛṣis, emphasizing that access to Śiva is reverent and dharmic, and that Śiva is not isolated from Śakti—an essential insight for Linga-pūjā where the worship implicitly honors Śiva with His power (Śakti).

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

Śiva is presented as Devadeva and Umāpati—supreme Lord (Pati) who remains fully aware of Śakti (Devī). In Shaiva Siddhānta terms, the verse hints that Pati is transcendent yet relational, revealing His lordship alongside the presence of the divine Śakti.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The key practice is darśana and upāsanā through humble approach—Devas with Brahmā and sages seeking Śiva’s presence—an inner discipline aligned with Pāśupata orientation: approaching Pati with restraint, reverence, and purity of intent.