Shloka 178

Adhyaya 72 — Puradāha: Rudra’s Cosmic Chariot, Pāśupata-Vrata, and Brahmā’s Shiva-Stuti

Devanagari script

ततस्तदा महेश्वरे गते रणाद्गणैः सह सुरेश्वराः सुविस्मिता भवं प्रणम्य पार्वतीम्

Transliteration

tatastadā maheśvare gate raṇādgaṇaiḥ saha sureśvarāḥ suvismitā bhavaṃ praṇamya pārvatīm

Translation

Als dann Maheśvara das Schlachtfeld zusammen mit seinen Gaṇas verließ, verneigten sich die Herren der Devas—voll staunender Ehrfurcht—vor Bhava (Śiva) und erwiesen auch Pārvatī Verehrung.

Word by Word

• ततः: then

• तदा: at that time

• महेश्वरे: when Maheshvara (Śiva) [in/with respect to]

• गते: having gone/departed

• रणात्: from the battlefield

• गणैः: with the gaṇas

• सह: together with

• सुरेश्वराः: the lords of the gods (devas)

• सुविस्मिताः: greatly astonished, filled with wonder

• भवम्: Bhava (Śiva)

• प्रणम्य: having bowed/saluted

• पार्वतीम्: Pārvatī

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati
• Ganas
• Devas

FAQs

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

It establishes the devas’ posture of surrender to Pati (Śiva) and honor to Śakti (Pārvatī), a core Shaiva frame for approaching the Liṅga: worship is grounded in reverence, awe, and acknowledging Śiva’s supreme lordship.

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

Śiva is presented as Bhava and Mahēśvara—Pati, the sovereign Lord whose movement alone settles cosmic conflict; even the sura-lords respond with विस्मय (wonder) and प्रणाम (prostration), indicating his transcendent authority.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The key practice is प्रणाम (prostration) and śaraṇāgati (taking refuge): a foundational bhakti-act aligned with Pāśupata orientation, where the paśu (soul) loosens pāśa (bondage) through humble devotion to Pati.