Shloka 27

शिवार्चनविधिः — देवतानां पाशुपतव्रतप्राप्तिः तथा पशुपाशविमोक्षणम् (अध्याय ८०)

Devanagari script

गुह्यालयैर्गुह्यगृहैर् गुहस्य भवनैः शुभैः ग्राम्यैर् अन्यैर् महाभागा मौक्तिकैर् दृष्टिमोहनैः

Transliteration

guhyālayairguhyagṛhair guhasya bhavanaiḥ śubhaiḥ grāmyair anyair mahābhāgā mauktikair dṛṣṭimohanaiḥ

Translation

It was adorned with Guhā’s sanctuaries—his secret halls and auspicious mansions—together with other splendid dwellings and quarters; and, O noble ones, it was further beautified by pearl-like ornaments and lustrous embellishments that utterly enchanted the gaze.

Word by Word

• गुह्यालयैः: with sanctuaries/abodes of Guha (Skanda)

• गुह्यगृहैः: with secret houses/hidden chambers

• गुहस्य: of Guha (Skanda/Kumāra)

• भवनैः: with mansions/dwellings

• शुभैः: auspicious, splendid

• ग्राम्यैः: with quarters/settlements (habitation-like sections)

• अन्यैः: with other (structures)

• महाभागा: O greatly fortunate ones (address to listeners)

• मौक्तिकैः: with pearls/pearl-like gems

• दृष्टिमोहनैः: captivating to the sight, enchanting the eyes

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Guha (Skanda/Kartikeya)

FAQs

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

By depicting the radiant, ordered dwellings connected with Guha (Skanda), the verse supports dhyāna (contemplative visualization) around Shiva’s divine sphere—helping the pashu (soul) turn from pasha (bondage) toward Pati (the Lord) through sacred imagery associated with Linga-centered devotion.

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

Shiva-tattva is implied through the harmony and auspiciousness of the divine realm surrounding Shiva’s family: the beauty that “enchants the gaze” functions as a marker of sattvic, transcendent order—an outer reflection of Pati’s inner sovereignty that draws the pashu toward liberation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse most directly supports dhyāna in Shaiva practice—visualizing the auspicious abodes and divine splendor as an aid to one-pointed devotion (bhakti) and meditative absorption used in Linga-puja and Pashupata-oriented contemplation.