Shloka 25

वासिष्ठकथनम् (आदित्य–सोमवंशवर्णनम् तथा रुद्रसहस्रनाम-प्रशंसा)

Devanagari script

सोमवंशाग्रजो धीमान् भवभक्तः प्रतापवान् इक्ष्वाकोर्वंशविस्तारं पश्चाद्वक्ष्ये तपोधनाः

Transliteration

somavaṃśāgrajo dhīmān bhavabhaktaḥ pratāpavān ikṣvākorvaṃśavistāraṃ paścādvakṣye tapodhanāḥ

Translation

The foremost scion of the Lunar dynasty was wise, devoted to Bhava (Śiva), and radiant with valor. O ascetics rich in tapas, later I shall also recount the full expansion of Ikṣvāku’s lineage.

Word by Word

• सोमवंश-अग्रजः: foremost descendant of the Lunar dynasty

• धीमान्: wise, discerning

• भव-भक्तः: devotee of Bhava (Śiva), devoted to Pati

• प्रतापवान्: illustrious, valorous

• इक्ष्वाकोः: of Ikṣvāku

• वंश-विस्तारम्: the detailed spread/extension of the dynasty

• पश्चात्: afterwards, later

• वक्ष्ये: I shall declare/recount

• तपोधनाः: O treasuries of austerity (ascetics)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Bhava
• Ikshvaku

FAQs

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

It frames exemplary rulership as grounded in devotion to Bhava (Śiva), implying that worldly power becomes dharmic when oriented to Pati (the Lord) rather than ego—an attitude central to Śiva-bhakti and Linga-centered devotion.

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

By naming Śiva as “Bhava,” it points to Him as the sustaining Lord of becoming—Pati who presides over worldly manifestation while remaining the supreme object of devotion for the bound pashu.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific rite is prescribed; the takeaway is bhakti-yukta dharma—devotion to Śiva as the inner discipline that purifies the pashu and supports righteous action, which aligns with the ethical foundation of Pāśupata practice.