Shloka 81

Devanagari script

बृहद्रथो भीमकर्मा बृहत्कीर्तिर् धनञ्जयः घण्टाप्रियो ध्वजी छत्त्री पिनाकी ध्वजिनीपतिः

Transliteration

bṛhadratho bhīmakarmā bṛhatkīrtir dhanañjayaḥ ghaṇṭāpriyo dhvajī chattrī pinākī dhvajinīpatiḥ

Translation

He is Bṛhadratha, the Great Charioteer, whose deeds are awe-inspiring; whose fame is vast; Dhanañjaya, the Conqueror of wealth and foes. He delights in the sacred bell; He bears the banner; He is the royal Umbrella itself; He wields Pināka; and He is the Lord of hosts and armies—Pati, the sovereign who leads all forces.

Word by Word

• बृहद्रथः: the one with the great chariot / great car-warrior

• भीमकर्मा: one whose actions are formidable (terrible to adharma)

• बृहत्कीर्तिः: of immense fame and glory

• धनञ्जयः: conqueror of wealth / victor over enemies

• घण्टाप्रियः: lover of the bell (auspicious temple-bell sound)

• ध्वजी: banner-bearer / marked by the flag

• छत्त्री: bearer of the royal parasol / protector

• पिनाकी: wielder of the Pināka bow

• ध्वजिनीपतिः: lord of armies / commander of forces

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It links Shiva’s Sahasranama to temple-liturgy markers—bell (ghaṇṭā), banner (dhvaja), and royal parasol (chatra)—affirming that Linga-puja is not merely symbolic but a royal, sovereign worship of Pati (Shiva) who receives and sanctifies these offerings.

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

Shiva is portrayed as Pati: the supreme commander (dhvajinīpati) whose mighty action (bhīmakarmā) protects dharma and liberates the pashu (bound soul) by subduing opposing forces—outer enemies and inner impurities that constitute pasha (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritually, it points to ghanta-nāda, dhvaja, and chatra as auspicious components of Shiva-temple worship around the Linga. Yogically (Pashupata sense), it implies disciplining the ‘inner army’—senses and vrittis—by surrendering them to Shiva, the dhvajinīpati, as the governing Lord.