Shloka 37

Adhyaya 79 — Bhakti-Mahima and Linga-Archana-Vidhi

Condensed Ritual Sequence

Devanagari script

व्यासेन कथितः पूर्वं श्रुत्वा रुद्रमुखात्स्वयम्

Transliteration

vyāsena kathitaḥ pūrvaṃ śrutvā rudramukhātsvayam

Translation

Formerly, Vyāsa expounded this after personally hearing it from the very mouth of Rudra; thus the Śaiva teaching is preserved as the direct revelation of Pati (Śiva), for the liberation of the paśu, the bound soul.

Word by Word

• व्यासेन: by Vyāsa

• कथितः: was spoken/expounded

• पूर्वम्: formerly/earlier

• श्रुत्वा: having heard

• रुद्रमुखात्: from the mouth of Rudra (Śiva)

• स्वयम्: himself/personally

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the provenance of the teaching to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Characters & Entities

• Vyasa
• Rudra
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It establishes scriptural authority: Linga-related Śaiva doctrine is presented as a direct Rudra-utterance preserved by Vyāsa, making Linga-pūjā grounded in revealed Śiva-tattva rather than mere custom.

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

Śiva appears as Rudra, the Pati whose speech itself is pramāṇa (valid means of knowledge), implying His role as the ultimate teacher who grants liberating knowledge to the bound paśu.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights śravaṇa (reverent hearing) and guru-paramparā as the first limb of practice—foundational for Pāśupata discipline and for correct Śiva-pūjā/vidhi transmitted through lineage.