Shloka 148

Adhyaya 72 — Puradāha: Rudra’s Cosmic Chariot, Pāśupata-Vrata, and Brahmā’s Shiva-Stuti

Devanagari script

प्रत्याहाररतानां च प्रतिस्थानस्थिताय च धारणायै नमस्तुभ्यं धारणाभिरताय ते

Transliteration

pratyāhāraratānāṃ ca pratisthānasthitāya ca dhāraṇāyai namastubhyaṃ dhāraṇābhiratāya te

Translation

Salutations to You—who gladden those devoted to pratyāhāra, the withdrawal of the senses; who abide in the firm foundation (pratiṣṭhāna) of steady being; and who are Yourself dhāraṇā, the holding of concentration. O Lord, homage to You who rejoice in dhāraṇā—O Pati who grants mastery of the mind to loosen the paśu from pāśa.

Word by Word

• प्रत्याहार-रतानाम्: of those devoted to pratyāhāra (sense-withdrawal)

• च: and

• प्रतिस्थान-स्थिताय: to the One established in pratiṣṭhāna (firm foundation/steadfast station)

• च: and

• धारणायै: to Dhāraṇā (concentration/holding)

• नमस्: salutations

• तुभ्यम्: to You

• धारणाभिरताय: to the One delighting in dhāraṇā

• ते: to You/unto You (O Lord).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating a hymn/series of salutations within the Purva-Bhaga discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-oriented devotion as inner worship: Shiva is praised not only as the outer object of puja but as the very power of pratyāhāra and dhāraṇā that stabilizes the mind for true Linga-dhyāna.

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

Shiva is presented as Pati—the grounding foundation (pratiṣṭhāna) and the living principle of concentration itself—by whom the paśu (bound soul) gains inner mastery and loosens pāśa (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Pāśupata-oriented yoga discipline: pratyāhāra (withdrawing the senses from objects) culminating in dhāraṇā (one-pointed holding of awareness), suitable for sustained Linga-meditation.