Shloka 29

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

Devanagari script

सुशोभमानो वरदः सम्प्रेक्ष्यैव च सारथिम् तस्मिन्नारोहति रथं कल्पितं लोकसंभृतम्

Transliteration

suśobhamāno varadaḥ samprekṣyaiva ca sārathim tasminnārohati rathaṃ kalpitaṃ lokasaṃbhṛtam

Translation

The boon-bestowing Lord, resplendent in glory, merely glancing at the charioteer, mounted that chariot—mystically fashioned and upheld by the worlds—revealing the Pati’s sovereign power to assume forms for the protection and uplift of the paśus (bound souls).

Word by Word

• सुशोभमानः: shining, resplendent

• वरदः: the boon-giver (the Lord)

• सम्प्रेक्ष्य एव: having merely looked/glanced

• च: and

• सारथिम्: the charioteer

• तस्मिन्: upon that (chariot)

• आरोहति: mounts, ascends

• रथम्: chariot

• कल्पितम्: fashioned, magically constructed/ordained

• लोकसंभृतम्: sustained/upheld by the worlds (supported by cosmic order).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It highlights Shiva as Varada (bestower of grace): in Linga worship, the devotee seeks anugraha (liberating grace) from Pati, who can manifest and act within the cosmos while remaining transcendent.

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

Shiva appears as the sovereign Pati whose mere glance initiates action—showing effortless lordship (aiśvarya) and compassionate governance over the worlds that uphold his manifested form.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse points to anugraha as the core of Pashupata orientation: through devotion, japa, and inner surrender, the paśu becomes receptive to the Lord’s ‘glance’—the transforming descent of grace.