Shloka 38

शिवार्चनविधिः — देवतानां पाशुपतव्रतप्राप्तिः तथा पशुपाशविमोक्षणम् (अध्याय ८०)

Devanagari script

तेषां शृङ्गेषु हृष्टाश् च नार्यः कमललोचनाः विशालजघना यक्षा गन्धर्वाप्सरसस् तथा

Transliteration

teṣāṃ śṛṅgeṣu hṛṣṭāś ca nāryaḥ kamalalocanāḥ viśālajaghanā yakṣā gandharvāpsarasas tathā

Translation

Upon their lofty peaks, lotus-eyed women rejoiced; and there too were broad-hipped Yakṣas, along with Gandharvas and Apsarases—delighting in that auspicious manifestation ordained by Śiva.

Word by Word

• तेषाम् (teṣām): of them

• शृङ्गेषु (śṛṅgeṣu): on the peaks/summits

• हृष्टाः (hṛṣṭāḥ): delighted, thrilled

• च (ca): and

• नार्यः (nāryaḥ): women

• कमल-लोचनाः (kamala-locanāḥ): lotus-eyed

• विशाल-जघनाः (viśāla-jaghanāḥ): broad-hipped/with expansive hips

• यक्षाः (yakṣāḥ): Yakṣas (nature-spirits/guardians of wealth)

• गन्धर्व-अप्सरसः (gandharva-apsarasaḥ): Gandharvas and Apsarases (celestial musicians and nymphs)

• तथा (tathā): likewise/also

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Yakshas
• Gandharvas
• Apsarases

FAQs

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

It depicts the cosmos responding with joy to an auspicious Shiva-centered event—signaling that the Linga (as Pati’s sign) is not merely a ritual object but a cosmic axis that draws even celestial communities into reverence and celebration.

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

By showing spontaneous delight across classes of beings, the verse implies Shiva-tattva as ananda and auspicious order: Pati’s presence harmonizes the worlds, loosening pasha (bondage) through a shared uplift of consciousness.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific rite is stated; the takeaway aligns with Pashupata orientation—cultivating hṛṣa (uplifted joy) and devotion in the presence of Shiva’s sign (Linga), a mental-bhavana supportive of puja and inward yoga.