Shloka 56

Pāśupata-vrata Māhātmya: Dvādaśa-Liṅga Mahāvrata, Month-wise Dravya, and Pūjā-krama

Devanagari script

इदं पवित्रं परमं रहस्यं व्रतोत्तमं विश्वसृजापि सृष्टम् हिताय देवासुरसिद्धमर्त्यविद्याधराणां परमं शिवेन

Transliteration

idaṃ pavitraṃ paramaṃ rahasyaṃ vratottamaṃ viśvasṛjāpi sṛṣṭam hitāya devāsurasiddhamartyavidyādharāṇāṃ paramaṃ śivena

Translation

Dies ist das höchst reinigende, erhabenste Geheimnis — das vortrefflichste aller Gelübde — das selbst vom Schöpfer des Weltalls verordnet wurde, zum Heil von Devas, Asuras, Siddhas, Sterblichen und Vidyādharas; der höchste Śiva hat es zu ihrem wahren Wohl begründet.

Word by Word

• idam: this

• pavitram: purifying/holy

• paramam: supreme

• rahasyam: secret/esoteric doctrine

• vratottamam: the best of vows/observances

• viśvasṛjā api: even by the world-creator (Brahmā)

• sṛṣṭam: created/ordained

• hitāya: for the benefit/welfare

• deva: gods

• asura: anti-gods/demons

• siddha: perfected beings

• martya: mortals/humans

• vidyādhara: celestial knowledge-bearers

• paramam: supreme

• śivena: by Śiva (the auspicious Lord, Pati).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya; presenting the revealed vow as Shiva-established and Brahma-ordained)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma

FAQs

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

It frames the observance connected with Śiva (the vratottama) as a supremely purifying esoteric discipline, instituted for the welfare of all beings—supporting Linga-pūjā as a universal means for purification and grace.

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

Śiva is presented as the Supreme Pati who establishes the highest salvific secret for the good of all classes of beings, implying His compassionate sovereignty and role as the ultimate source of purification and auspicious liberation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights a “vratottama” (the highest vow/observance), implying a Shaiva vrata aligned with Pāśupata discipline—purificatory conduct and worship that loosens pāśa (bondage) and turns the paśu (soul) toward Śiva (Pati).