Shloka 23

अध्याय १०१: हैमवती-तपः, तारकवंश-उत्पातः, स्कन्द-प्रत्याशा, मदनदहनम्

Devanagari script

एवम् उक्तस् तु शक्रेण जीवः सार्धं सुराधिपैः सहस्राक्षेण च विभुं सम्प्राप्याह कुशध्वजम्

Transliteration

evam uktas tu śakreṇa jīvaḥ sārdhaṃ surādhipaiḥ sahasrākṣeṇa ca vibhuṃ samprāpyāha kuśadhvajam

Translation

Thus addressed by Śakra (Indra), Jīva, accompanied by the lords of the gods and by the thousand‑eyed one, approached the mighty Kuśadhvaja and spoke—seeking the right course that, through dharma and Śiva’s grace, leads the bound soul (paśu) toward the Lord (Pati).

Word by Word

• एवम् (evam): thus

• उक्तस् (uktaḥ): addressed/spoken to

• तु (tu): then/indeed

• शक्रेण (śakreṇa): by Śakra/Indra

• जीवः (jīvaḥ): the individual soul (paśu)

• सार्धम् (sārdham): together with

• सुराधिपैः (surādhipaiḥ): with the chiefs of the gods

• सहस्राक्षेण (sahasrākṣeṇa): with the thousand‑eyed one (Indra)

• च (ca): and

• विभुम् (vibhum): the mighty/powerful one

• सम्प्राप्य (samprāpya): having approached/reached

• आह (āha): spoke/said

• कुशध्वजम् (kuśadhvajam): to Kuśadhvaja (proper name).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the episode to the sages; internal action involves Indra and Jīva addressing Kuśadhvaja)

Characters & Entities

• Indra (Śakra, Sahasrākṣa)
• Jīva (Paśu)
• Devas (Surādhipas)
• Kuśadhvaja

FAQs

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

It frames the jīva’s movement from divine instruction toward a dharmic authority (Kuśadhvaja), implying that correct conduct and guidance are prerequisites for receiving Śiva’s anugraha—the inner basis of successful liṅga‑pūjā.

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

By highlighting the jīva’s dependence on higher guidance, it implicitly aligns with Śaiva Siddhānta: the paśu, bound by pāśa, advances toward Pati through right direction and grace—Śiva-tattva as the supreme liberator rather than merely a worldly power.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific rite is named; the takeaway is the preparatory discipline of seeking proper instruction (guru/dharmic authority), a key step that supports Pāśupata orientation—turning the jīva toward Śiva through regulated dharma and devotion.