Shloka 7

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

Condensed Ritual Sequence

Devanagari script

ख्यातिशीलस् तथा चान्द्रं स्त्रीषु सक्तो नराधमः मदार्तः पूजयन् रुद्रं सोमस्थानमवाप्नुयात्

Transliteration

khyātiśīlas tathā cāndraṃ strīṣu sakto narādhamaḥ madārtaḥ pūjayan rudraṃ somasthānamavāpnuyāt

Translation

Selbst ein Mann von niedriger Lebensführung—wenn auch berühmt, von mondhafter Natur, an Frauen haftend und von Rausch gequält—gelangt, wenn er Rudra verehrt, zur Wohnstatt Somas (dem Mondreich).

Word by Word

• ख्यातिशीलः: famed by disposition

• तथा: and/also

• चान्द्रम्: lunar (connected with Soma/the Moon)

• स्त्रीषु: among women/with women

• सक्तः: attached, addicted

• नराधमः: the lowest of men

• मदार्तः: distressed/overpowered by intoxication

• पूजयन्: worshipping

• रुद्रम्: Rudra (Śiva)

• सोमस्थानम्: Soma’s place, the lunar abode

• अवाप्नुयात्: would attain

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Rudra
• Soma

FAQs

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

It functions as a phala-śruti: it stresses Rudra’s salvific grace—Linga/Rudra worship can elevate even a pashu bound by strong pasha (desire and intoxication) to a higher post-mortem realm (Somaloka).

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

Shiva is implied as Pati—the Lord whose anugraha (grace) overrides the fallen state of the worshipper; devotion to Rudra becomes a purifying power that can outmatch moral and psychological bondage.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Rudra-pūjā (Shaiva worship, typically centered on the Linga) is highlighted as the key practice; the verse emphasizes sincere worship as the operative means rather than ascetic prowess.