Shloka 36

शिवार्चनविधिः — देवतानां पाशुपतव्रतप्राप्तिः तथा पशुपाशविमोक्षणम् (अध्याय ८०)

Devanagari script

तत्रैव ददृशुर्देवा वृन्दं रुद्रगणस्य च गणेश्वराणां वीराणाम् अपि वृन्दं सहस्रशः

Transliteration

tatraiva dadṛśurdevā vṛndaṃ rudragaṇasya ca gaṇeśvarāṇāṃ vīrāṇām api vṛndaṃ sahasraśaḥ

Translation

Ebendort erblickten die Devas die Schar der Gaṇas Rudras; und ebenso, zu Tausenden, die Gefolgschaften der tapferen Gaṇa-Herren, der Gaṇeśvaras.

Word by Word

• तत्रैव (tatraiva): right there, in that very place

• ददृशुः (dadṛśuḥ): saw, beheld

• देवाः (devāḥ): the Devas, gods

• वृन्दम् (vṛndam): a group, multitude, host

• रुद्रगणस्य (rudragaṇasya): of Rudra’s gaṇas (Śiva’s attendant hosts)

• च (ca): and

• गणेश्वराणाम् (gaṇeśvarāṇām): of the gaṇa-lords, commanders among the gaṇas

• वीराणाम् (vīrāṇām): of heroes, valiant ones

• अपि (api): also, indeed

• वृन्दम् (vṛndam): a multitude, troop

• सहस्रशः (sahasraśaḥ): in thousands, by the thousandfold.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Rudra (Shiva)
• Rudra-gana
• Ganesvaras

FAQs

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

It establishes Śiva’s sovereign presence through His Rudra-gaṇas and gaṇa-lords, implying that Linga worship is devotion to Pati (Śiva) who commands cosmic forces that uphold dharma and dissolve bondage.

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

Śiva-tattva is hinted as supreme lordship (aiśvarya): Rudra is not merely a deity among Devas, but Pati whose innumerable gaṇas and commanders manifest His will in creation, protection, and dissolution.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific rite is prescribed in this line, but it supports the Pāśupata orientation: the aspirant (paśu) turns toward Pati through devotion and discipline, recognizing Śiva’s all-governing power symbolized by His vast gaṇa-hosts.