Shloka 8

वंशानुवर्णनम् — सात्वतवंशः, स्यमन्तक-प्रसङ्गः, कृष्णावतारः, शिवप्रसादः (पाशुपतयोगः)

Devanagari script

ये ऽमृतत्वमनुप्राप्ता बभ्रोर्देवावृधादपि यज्वा दानमतिर्वीरो ब्रह्मण्यस्तु दृढव्रतः

Transliteration

ye 'mṛtatvamanuprāptā babhrordevāvṛdhādapi yajvā dānamatirvīro brahmaṇyastu dṛḍhavrataḥ

Translation

Those who attained immortality—even beyond Babhrū and Devāvṛdha—were sacrificers (yajvā) devoted to sacred rites, heroic in virtue, intent on charity, steadfast in vows, and reverent toward the Brahmanical order. By such dharma the paśu, the bound soul, is led toward the grace of Pati, the Lord, and to the state beyond death.

Word by Word

• ये (ye): those who

• अमृतत्वम् (amṛtatvam): immortality, deathlessness

• अनुप्राप्ताः (anuprāptāḥ): attained, reached

• बभ्रोः (babhrōḥ): of Babhrū (a renowned exemplar)

• देवावृधात् (devāvṛdhāt): from Devāvṛdha (a celebrated exemplar)

• अपि (api): even, also

• यज्वा (yajvā): one who performs yajña/sacrifice

• दानमतिः (dāna-matiḥ): whose mind is set on giving/charity

• वीरः (vīraḥ): heroic, valorous (in dharma)

• ब्रह्मण्यः (brahmaṇyaḥ): devoted to Brahmins/Veda/dharma

• तु (tu): indeed

• दृढव्रतः (dṛḍha-vrataḥ): firm in vows, unwavering in observance

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Babhrū
• Devāvṛdha
• Brahmins

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-centered Shaiva dharma as inseparable from yajña, charity, and steadfast vows—qualities that purify the paśu and make it fit for Pati’s grace, which is the real source of ‘deathlessness’.

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

Shiva is implied as Pati, the Lord who grants the state beyond death; ritual merit and ethical discipline are presented as preparatory causes, while liberation culminates through alignment with (and grace from) the supreme Lord.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Yajña (Vedic sacrifice), dāna (charity), and dṛḍha-vrata (firm observances) are emphasized—core disciplines that parallel Pāśupata-style purification through regulated conduct and selfless offering.