Shloka 30

Pāśupata-vrata Māhātmya: Dvādaśa-Liṅga Mahāvrata, Month-wise Dravya, and Pūjā-krama

Devanagari script

पद्माश्रितो महादेवः सर्वदेवपतिः शिवः तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन श्रीपत्त्रं न त्यजेद्बुधः

Transliteration

padmāśrito mahādevaḥ sarvadevapatiḥ śivaḥ tasmātsarvaprayatnena śrīpattraṃ na tyajedbudhaḥ

Translation

Mahādeva—Śiva, the Pati (Lord) of all the gods—abides upon the lotus. Therefore the wise, with every effort, should never abandon the sacred offering of the bilva-leaf, for it is dear to Śiva and supports the soul’s approach to Pati through worship.

Word by Word

• पद्म-आश्रितः: seated upon/abiding in the lotus

• महादेवः: Mahādeva, the Great God

• सर्व-देव-पतिः: Lord of all the gods

• शिवः: Śiva, the auspicious One

• तस्मात्: therefore

• सर्व-प्रयत्नेन: with all effort, by every means

• श्री-पत्त्रम्: the auspicious leaf (Śrīpattra—bilva leaf used in Śiva-pūjā)

• न त्यजेत्: should not abandon/should not give up

• बुधः: the wise person

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana discourse to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Mahadeva

FAQs

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

It elevates the bilva leaf (śrīpatra) as a non-negotiable, Śiva-pleasing offering in liṅga-pūjā, urging sustained discipline in ritual devotion as a means for the pashu (individual soul) to draw near to Pati (Śiva).

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

Śiva is presented as Mahādeva and sarvadevapati—the sovereign Lord beyond and above the devas—indicating Pati-tattva: the supreme ruler who receives worship and grants grace for release from pāśa (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights pūjā-vidhi centered on bilva-leaf offering to the liṅga—an act of disciplined devotion that supports inner purification and steadiness aligned with Pāśupata-oriented practice.