Shloka 17

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

Devanagari script

समुद्रास्तस्य चत्वारो रथकम्बलिकाः स्मृताः गङ्गाद्याः सरितः श्रेष्ठाः सर्वाभरणभूषिताः

Transliteration

samudrāstasya catvāro rathakambalikāḥ smṛtāḥ gaṅgādyāḥ saritaḥ śreṣṭhāḥ sarvābharaṇabhūṣitāḥ

Translation

Its four oceans are remembered as chariot-blankets—protective and encompassing—while the foremost rivers, beginning with the Gaṅgā, are supreme, adorned with every ornament. Thus the sacred waters themselves appear as consecrated powers serving the divine order of Pati (Śiva).

Word by Word

• समुद्राः (samudrāḥ): oceans

• तस्य (tasya): of it/of that realm

• चत्वारः (catvāraḥ): four

• रथकम्बलिकाः (rathakambalikāḥ): like chariot-blankets/coverings (protective coverings)

• स्मृताः (smṛtāḥ): are remembered/are said to be

• गङ्गाद्याः (gaṅgādyāḥ): beginning with the Gaṅgā

• सरितः (saritaḥ): rivers

• श्रेष्ठाः (śreṣṭhāḥ): the best/supreme

• सर्वाभरणभूषिताः (sarvābharaṇa-bhūṣitāḥ): adorned with all ornaments (fully embellished/auspiciously decorated)

Speaker

Suta (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Ganga

FAQs

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

It elevates oceans and rivers—especially Gaṅgā—as inherently consecrated supports of Śiva’s order; in Liṅga-pūjā, such waters are primary for abhiṣeka, symbolizing purification of the pashu (bound soul) and alignment with Pati.

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

By portraying sacred waters as ornamented and protective, it implies Śiva-tattva as the all-pervading ground in which cosmic elements become auspicious instruments—protecting, purifying, and sustaining the path from pāśa (bondage) toward liberation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The implied practice is tirtha-based śauca and abhiṣeka (ritual bathing of the Liṅga) with Gaṅgā and other sacred waters—supporting Pāśupata discipline through purity, devotion, and consecrated offering.