Shloka 166
Adhyaya 72 — Puradāha: Rudra’s Cosmic Chariot, Pāśupata-Vrata, and Brahmā’s Shiva-Stuti
दिव्यः क्व देवेश भवत्प्रभावो वयं क्व भक्तिः क्व च ते स्तुतिश् च तथापि भक्त्या विलपन्तमीश पितामहं मां भगवन्क्षमस्व
divyaḥ kva deveśa bhavatprabhāvo vayaṃ kva bhaktiḥ kva ca te stutiś ca tathāpi bhaktyā vilapantamīśa pitāmahaṃ māṃ bhagavankṣamasva
O Divine Lord, O Lord of the Devas—where is Your immeasurable majesty, and where are we? Where is our devotion, and where is any praise worthy of You? Yet, O Īśa, though I lament in devotion, forgive me—me, the Grandfather (Brahmā), O Blessed Lord.
Brahma (Pitamaha), within Suta's narration
FAQs
It establishes the inner posture required for Linga-puja: humility and surrender, acknowledging that the Pati (Shiva) transcends all limited speech, while the devotee (pashu) approaches through bhakti and repentance.
Shiva is portrayed as divya and immeasurable—His prabhāva is beyond comparison and beyond adequate stuti—affirming the Siddhāntic view of Shiva as Pati, the supreme Lord whose greatness exceeds mind and word.
A core upāya is highlighted: kṣamā-prārthanā (seeking forgiveness) and bhakti-filled self-effacement, a foundational attitude supporting Pashupata-oriented discipline and sincere worship before mantra, abhiṣeka, and other rites.