Shloka 2

Adhyaya 79 — Bhakti-Mahima and Linga-Archana-Vidhi

Condensed Ritual Sequence

Devanagari script

संवत्सरसहस्रैश् च तपसा पूज्य शङ्करम् न पश्यन्ति सुराश्चापि कथं देवं यजन्ति ते

Transliteration

saṃvatsarasahasraiś ca tapasā pūjya śaṅkaram na paśyanti surāścāpi kathaṃ devaṃ yajanti te

Translation

Selbst nachdem sie Śaṅkara durch Askese über Tausende von Jahren verehrt haben, erblicken die Devas Ihn nicht. Wenn sie nicht einmal diesen Deva sehen können, wie sollten sie Ihn wahrhaft verehren?

Word by Word

• संवत्सर-सहस्रैः: by thousands of years

• च: and

• तपसा: by austerity (tapas)

• पूज्य: having worshipped / worshipping

• शङ्करम्: Śaṅkara (Shiva, the Beneficent)

• न: not

• पश्यन्ति: they see / behold

• सुराः: the Devas

• च अपि: even

• कथम्: how

• देवम्: the Deva (the Lord)

• यजन्ति: they worship / sacrifice to

• ते: they

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana; verse reflects the narrative voice about the Devas)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Shankara)
• Devas (Suras)

FAQs

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

It stresses that external worship and even prolonged tapas do not automatically yield Shiva-darśana; true Linga-pūjā must be joined with inner purity and Shiva’s anugraha (grace), recognizing Pati as transcendent.

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

Shiva is not an object easily grasped by the senses or attained by merit alone; as Pati, He remains beyond even the Devas, revealing Himself only when bondage (pāśa) is loosened through right knowledge, devotion, and grace.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Tapas is highlighted—yet shown as insufficient by itself—pointing toward Pāśupata-oriented discipline where austerity is integrated with devotion, discernment, and surrender to receive Shiva’s direct revelation.