Shloka 51

स्वेच्छाविग्रहसंभव-प्रतिष्ठाफलवर्णनम् (विविधशिवमूर्तिप्रतिष्ठा, लोक-फल, शिवसायुज्य)

Devanagari script

सम्प्रेक्ष्य चान्धकं पार्श्वे कृताञ्जलिपुटं स्थितम् रूपं कृत्वा यथान्यायं शिवसायुज्यमाप्नुयात्

Transliteration

samprekṣya cāndhakaṃ pārśve kṛtāñjalipuṭaṃ sthitam rūpaṃ kṛtvā yathānyāyaṃ śivasāyujyamāpnuyāt

Translation

Beholding Andhaka at his side, palms joined in reverent supplication, the Lord assumed the proper form according to sacred rule; thus Andhaka attained sāyujya—union with Śiva—by the Pati’s grace, transcending the bonds (pāśa).

Word by Word

• सम्प्रेक्ष्य: having beheld/observed

• च: and

• अन्धकं: Andhaka (the asura)

• पार्श्वे: at the side/nearby

• कृताञ्जलिपुटं: with hands joined (añjali) in a cupped gesture

• स्थितम्: standing/remaining

• रूपं: form

• कृत्वा: having assumed/made

• यथा: as/according to

• अन्यायं (यथान्यायं): according to rule/proper ordinance

• शिवसायुज्यम्: union/absorption with Śiva (sāyujya)

• आप्नुयात्: would attain/attains

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva–Andhaka episode to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Andhaka

FAQs

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

It highlights the core Shaiva principle behind Linga worship: not mere ritual display, but humility (añjali) and surrender that invite Śiva’s anugraha, culminating in liberation (śiva-sāyujya).

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

Śiva appears as the sovereign Pati who can assume an appropriate salvific form “according to ordinance” and grant the highest state; liberation is shown as grace-led, with the Lord transforming the paśu beyond pāśa.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The key practice is śaraṇāgati expressed through añjali (reverent submission). It aligns with Pāśupata ethos where inner turning and surrender, supported by proper vidhi, becomes the doorway for Śiva’s liberating grace.