Shloka 40

शिवार्चनविधिः — देवतानां पाशुपतव्रतप्राप्तिः तथा पशुपाशविमोक्षणम् (अध्याय ८०)

Devanagari script

नानाप्रभावसंयुक्ता नानाभोगरतिप्रियाः नीलोत्पलदलप्रख्याः पद्मपत्रायतेक्षणाः

Transliteration

nānāprabhāvasaṃyuktā nānābhogaratipriyāḥ nīlotpaladalaprakhyāḥ padmapatrāyatekṣaṇāḥ

Translation

Endowed with manifold splendors and powers, delighting in many kinds of enjoyments and pleasures, they shone like the petals of the blue lotus, their long eyes resembling lotus-leaves.

Word by Word

• नाना (nānā): various, many kinds

• प्रभाव (prabhāva): splendor, power, radiance

• संयुक्ताः (saṃyuktāḥ): endowed with, united with

• नाना (nānā): manifold

• भोग (bhoga): enjoyments, sensual or celestial pleasures

• रति (rati): delight, love, pleasure

• प्रियाः (priyāḥ): fond of, dear to

• नीलोत्पल (nīlotpala): blue lotus

• दल (dala): petal

• प्रख्याः (prakhyāḥ): resembling, appearing like

• पद्म (padma): lotus

• पत्र (patra): leaf

• आयत (āyata): long, extended

• ईक्षणाः (īkṣaṇāḥ): eyes, those whose eyes are

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shakti

FAQs

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

By portraying radiant divine attendants, the verse evokes the auspicious, purity-filled atmosphere of Shiva’s domain—supporting the devotional mood (bhakti-bhāva) in which Linga-pūjā is performed and its fruits contemplated.

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

Indirectly, it reflects Shiva-tattva as the source of manifold prabhāva (divine potency): the varied radiances and beauties seen in the divine realm are understood in Shaiva Siddhanta as expressions of Pati’s śakti, while Pati remains transcendent.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific rite is stated; the teaching is contextual—bhoga (enjoyment) is depicted as celestial, yet for the pashu (bound soul) Shaiva practice channels perception from attraction to discernment (viveka), supporting Pashupata-oriented detachment while maintaining devotion.