Shloka 69

Adhyaya 71: पुरत्रयवृत्तान्तः—ब्रह्मवरदानम्, मयकृतत्रिपुर-निर्माणम्, विष्णुमाया-धर्मविघ्नः, शिवस्तुति, त्रिपुरदाहोपक्रमः

Devanagari script

तस्मादवध्यतां प्राप्ता नान्यथा द्विजपुङ्गवाः कृत्वापि सुमहत्पापं रुद्रमभ्यर्चयन्ति ये

Transliteration

tasmādavadhyatāṃ prāptā nānyathā dvijapuṅgavāḥ kṛtvāpi sumahatpāpaṃ rudramabhyarcayanti ye

Translation

Therefore, O best of the twice-born, those who worship Rudra attain inviolability—there is no other way. Even if they have committed a very great sin, by turning to the adoration of Rudra they become protected, for the Pati (Lord), through His grace, loosens the pāśa (bondage) of the paśu (soul).

Word by Word

• तस्मात्: therefore

• अवध्यताम्: the state of being not to be slain/inviolability

• प्राप्ताः: having attained

• न: not

• अन्यथा: otherwise/by any other means

• द्विजपुङ्गवाः: O best among the twice-born (brahmins)

• कृत्वा अपि: even having done

• सुमहत्: very great

• पापम्: sin

• रुद्रम्: Rudra (Shiva)

• अभ्यर्चयन्ति: worship/adorate with reverence

• ये: those who

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Rudra
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It declares that worship of Rudra—central to Linga-puja—grants “avadhyatā” (spiritual and karmic inviolability). The verse frames Shiva-archana as the decisive refuge that neutralizes even heavy pāpa through divine grace.

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

Shiva is implied as Pati, the supreme Lord whose anugraha can override the soul’s accumulated bondage. His worship is presented as uniquely effective—“nānyathā” (not otherwise)—indicating His unsurpassed salvific power.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Rudra-abhyarcana (reverential worship/archana) is highlighted as the practical means—aligned with Shaiva Siddhanta’s emphasis on bhakti and grace—by which the pashu gains protection and loosening of pāśa.