Shloka 52

देवादिसृष्टिकथनम् (वसिष्ठशोकः, पराशरजन्म, एकलिङ्गपूजा, रुद्रदर्शनम्)

Devanagari script

पुरेषु राक्षसानां च प्रणादं विषमं द्विजाः आश्रमस्थाश् च मुनयः समूहुर्हर्षसंततिम्

Transliteration

pureṣu rākṣasānāṃ ca praṇādaṃ viṣamaṃ dvijāḥ āśramasthāś ca munayaḥ samūhurharṣasaṃtatim

Translation

O twice-born ones, when the Rākṣasas in the cities raised a harsh and uneven roar, the sages dwelling in their hermitages gathered together in an unbroken surge of joy, taking the tumult as an auspicious sign that Pati—Lord Śiva—would soon subdue the forces of pāśa and protect the paśus (souls).

Word by Word

• पुरेषु: in the cities

• राक्षसानाम्: of the Rakshasas (demonic beings)

• च: and

• प्रणादम्: roar, clamour

• विषमम्: uneven, harsh, irregular

• द्विजाः: O twice-born (Brahmins)

• आश्रमस्थाः: residing in hermitages

• च: and

• मुनयः: sages

• समूहुः: assembled, gathered

• हर्षसंततिम्: an unbroken continuity of joy, sustained delight

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Rakshasas
• Munis

FAQs

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

The verse frames chaotic demonic noise as an omen of Śiva’s imminent intervention; for Linga worship, it implies that refuge in Pati (Śiva as the Linga) converts fear and disorder into auspicious confidence and devotion.

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

Śiva-tattva is implied as Pati—the sovereign protector whose grace turns the signs of adharmic agitation into certainty of order, loosening pāśa (bondage) and safeguarding the pashu (individual soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific rite is named, but the sages’ collective response reflects Pāśupata orientation: steadfast remembrance and confident taking of refuge in Pati when pāśa-driven forces (rakshasic turbulence) arise.