Shloka 29

Adhyaya 34: भस्ममहात्म्यं—अग्नीषोमात्मक-शिवतत्त्वं तथा पाशुपतव्रतप्रशंसा

Devanagari script

मलिनाश्चैव विप्रेन्द्रा भवभक्ता दृढव्रताः दधीचस्तु यथा देवदेवं जित्वा व्यवस्थितः

Transliteration

malināścaiva viprendrā bhavabhaktā dṛḍhavratāḥ dadhīcastu yathā devadevaṃ jitvā vyavasthitaḥ

Translation

O Fürst der Brahmanen, auch wenn sie äußerlich staubbedeckt und streng in der Askese sind, sind sie Bhava (Śiva) ergebene Bhaktas, fest in ihren Gelübden—wie Dadhīci, der, nachdem er selbst den „Gott der Götter“ durch Tapas bezwungen hatte, unerschütterlich in seinem gefassten Entschluss stand.

Word by Word

• मलिनाः: dust-stained/unclean in appearance (austere)

• च एव: and indeed

• विप्रेन्द्राः: O best among Brahmins

• भवभक्ताः: devotees of Bhava (Śiva)

• दृढव्रताः: firm in vows

• दधीचः: (sage) Dadhīci

• तु: indeed

• यथा: just as

• देवदेवम्: the god of gods / supreme lord among devas

• जित्वा: having conquered/overcome

• व्यवस्थितः: stood established/steadfast

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Dadhichi

FAQs

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

It elevates inner resolve (dṛḍha-vrata) and Bhava-bhakti over outward appearance, implying that true Linga worship is measured by unwavering devotion to Pati (Śiva), not by external cleanliness or display.

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

Śiva is invoked as Bhava—the Lord who transforms becoming (bhava) and grants stability to the devotee; by taking refuge in Pati, the pashu gains steadiness that overcomes deva-like powers, i.e., the forces that bind through pasha.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The emphasis is on tapas and dṛḍha-vrata—Pāśupata-aligned discipline where the seeker conquers distractions and stands established in devotion, which becomes the inner core of any external pūjā.