Shloka 95

अध्याय ८२ — व्यपोहनस्तवः (पापव्यपोहन-स्तोत्रम्)

Devanagari script

भूतैः प्रेतैः पिशाचैश् च कूष्माण्डैश् च समावृतः शिवार्चनरतः साक्षात् स मे पापं व्यपोहतु

Transliteration

bhūtaiḥ pretaiḥ piśācaiś ca kūṣmāṇḍaiś ca samāvṛtaḥ śivārcanarataḥ sākṣāt sa me pāpaṃ vyapohatu

Translation

Surrounded by bhūtas, pretas, piśācas, and kūṣmāṇḍas, yet directly manifest as the One devoted to Śivārcana—the worship of Śiva—may He remove my sin. In the Śaiva view, even the paśu (soul) bound by pāśa (impurity and fear) is purified when it turns toward Pati through the adoration of Śiva.

Word by Word

• भूतैः: by bhūtas (elemental beings/spirits)

• प्रेतैः: by pretas (restless departed)

• पिशाचैः: by piśācas (ghoulish beings)

• च: and

• कूष्माण्डैः: by kūṣmāṇḍas (demonic/ogre-like spirits)

• च: and

• समावृतः: surrounded/encircled

• शिवार्चनरतः: devoted to the worship of Śiva

• साक्षात्: directly, in person, manifestly

• स: he

• मे: my

• पापं: sin, demerit

• व्यपोहतु: may he remove/drive away completely

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya, within the Śivārcana praise context)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Bhutas
• Pretas
• Pishachas
• Kushmandas

FAQs

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

It frames Śivārcana as a direct purifier: even in the presence of terrifying spirit-hosts, devotion to Śiva (Pati) is declared powerful enough to eradicate pāpa and restore auspiciousness to the paśu.

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

Śiva is implied as sākṣāt—immediately present and effective—beyond fear and impurity. His nearness is not obstructed by lower beings; rather, his worship dissolves the bonds (pāśa) that generate sin and dread.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Śivārcana (Śiva-pūjā/Liṅga-pūjā) is highlighted as the operative practice—an applied devotional discipline aligned with Pāśupata intent: turning the paśu toward Pati to destroy pāśa and its karmic residue.