Shloka 2

Adhyaya 35 — दधीचि-क्षुप-युद्धम्, भार्गवोपदेशः, मृतसंजीवनी (त्र्यम्बक) मन्त्रः

Devanagari script

वज्रास्थित्वं कथं लेभे महादेवान्महातपाः वक्तुमर्हसि शैलादे जितो मृत्युस्त्वया यथा

Transliteration

vajrāsthitvaṃ kathaṃ lebhe mahādevānmahātapāḥ vaktumarhasi śailāde jito mṛtyustvayā yathā

Translation

O Śailāda, großer Asket — wie erlangtest du von Mahādeva jene diamantene Standhaftigkeit? Du bist würdig, uns zu berichten, wie du den Tod selbst besiegt hast.

Word by Word

• वज्रास्थित्वम्: vajra-like firmness/adamantine steadfastness

• कथम्: how

• लेभे: obtained/received

• महादेवान्: from Mahādeva (Śiva)

• महातपाः: great ascetic, one rich in tapas

• वक्तुम्: to speak/tell

• अर्हसि: you are worthy/you should

• शैलादे: O Śailāda

• जितः: conquered

• मृत्युः: Death

• त्वया: by you

• यथा: as/how (in what manner)

Speaker

Sages at Naimiṣāraṇya (addressing Śailāda within Sūta’s narration)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Mahadeva)
• Mrityu (Death)
• Sailada

FAQs

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

It frames Śiva as the giver of vajra-like inner stability and fearlessness, implying that Linga-upāsanā supported by tapas and Śiva’s anugraha can loosen the pāśa of mṛtyu (mortality) for the paśu (soul).

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

Śiva is presented as Mahādeva, the supreme Pati who bestows an unshakable state (vajrāsthitva) and enables the conquest of Death—signifying His lordship over kāla and mṛtyu and His grace as the decisive liberating power.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Tapas-centered Śaiva sādhana is highlighted—consistent with Pāśupata Yoga where disciplined austerity, devotion, and Śiva’s grace generate steadfastness and transcend fear of death (Mrityuñjaya-bhāva).