Shloka 21

ब्रह्मकृत-ईशानस्तवः तथा विश्वरूपदेवी-प्रकृतिरहस्योपदेशः

Devanagari script

चतुःशृङ्गी चतुर्वक्त्रा चतुर्दंष्ट्रा चतुःस्तनी चतुर्हस्ता चतुर्नेत्रा विश्वरूपा कथं स्मृता

Transliteration

catuḥśṛṅgī caturvaktrā caturdaṃṣṭrā catuḥstanī caturhastā caturnetrā viśvarūpā kathaṃ smṛtā

Translation

How is She remembered as the All-Formed (Viśvarūpā)—the Śakti with four horns, four faces, four fangs, four breasts, four hands, and four eyes?

Word by Word

• चतुःशृङ्गी: four-horned

• चतुर्वक्त्रा: four-faced

• चतुर्दंष्ट्रा: having four fangs/tusks

• चतुःस्तनी: four-breasted

• चतुर्हस्ता: four-handed

• चतुर्नेत्रा: four-eyed

• विश्वरूपा: all-formed, universal in form

• कथं: how

• स्मृता: remembered/known (in tradition)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purva-Bhaga to the sages; verse framed as a traditional query within the narrative)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shakti
• Devi

FAQs

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

It points to Śakti as the manifest, many-formed power inseparable from Pati (Śiva); Linga-worship is completed by recognizing this dynamic power through which creation and grace operate.

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

By describing Viśvarūpā Śakti, it implies Śiva-tattva as the transcendent Pati whose immanent potency appears with countless forms and powers—yet remains one reality with Him.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A contemplative upāsanā: dhyāna on the deity’s viśvarūpa (multi-limbed iconography) as a support for focusing the mind in Śaiva worship and Pāśupata-oriented meditation.