Shloka 171

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

यद्रूपं भवता दृष्टं सर्वलोकभयंकरम् हिताय तव यत्नेन तव भावाय सुव्रत

Transliteration

yadrūpaṃ bhavatā dṛṣṭaṃ sarvalokabhayaṃkaram hitāya tava yatnena tava bhāvāya suvrata

Translation

Jene Gestalt, die du erblicktest—furchtbar für alle Welten—wurde durch bewusstes Bemühen angenommen, zu deinem Heil und gemäß deiner inneren Gesinnung, o du von vortrefflichen Gelübden.

Word by Word

• yat-rūpam: that form

• bhavatā: by you

• dṛṣṭam: seen

• sarva-loka: of all worlds

• bhayaṅkaram: fear-causing/terrifying

• hitāya: for the benefit (of)

• tava: of you/for you

• yatnena: with effort, intentionally

• tava: your

• bhāvāya: for (your) disposition/faith/inner state

• suvrata: O virtuous one, O you of good vows

Speaker

Suta (narrating an internal dialogue where a divine teacher explains Shiva’s manifestation)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames even Shiva’s terrifying manifestation as an act of anugraha (grace) meant to mature the devotee’s bhava; Linga worship trains the pashu (soul) to approach Pati (Shiva) beyond fear and appearances.

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

Shiva-tattva is portrayed as sovereign and intentional: He assumes forms that may appear fearsome in the worlds, yet His purpose is protective and liberating—guiding the bound soul (pashu) away from pasha (bondage) toward right orientation (bhava).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The implied practice is bhava-śuddhi through devotion and contemplation—receiving even awe and fear as a means of inner transformation, a key mood aligned with Pashupata discipline and steadfast vrata (observance).