Shloka 24

अन्धक-हिरण्याक्ष-प्रसङ्गः, वराहावतारः, दंष्ट्राभूषणं च

Devanagari script

इत्युक्ता सा तदा देवी धरा देवैर् अथाब्रवीत् वराहदंष्ट्राभिन्नायां धरायां मृत्तिकां द्विजाः

Transliteration

ityuktā sā tadā devī dharā devair athābravīt varāhadaṃṣṭrābhinnāyāṃ dharāyāṃ mṛttikāṃ dvijāḥ

Translation

Thus addressed by the gods, the Goddess Earth, Dharā, then spoke: “O twice-born ones, take the sacred clay from that very ground which was split by the tusk of Varāha.”

Word by Word

• iti-uktā: thus addressed

• sā: she

• tadā: then

• devī: the Goddess

• dharā: Earth

• devaiḥ: by the gods

• atha: then

• abravīt: spoke

• varāha: Varāha (the Boar incarnation)

• daṃṣṭrā: tusk

• bhinnāyām: in (that which is) split/cleft

• dharāyām: in the earth/ground

• mṛttikām: clay/earth (for ritual use)

• dvijāḥ: O twice-born (Brahmins)

Speaker

Dharā (Bhūdevī, the Earth-Goddess)

Characters & Entities

• Dharā (Bhūdevī)
• Devas
• Varāha
• Dvijas (Brahmins)

FAQs

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

It authorizes a specific, sanctified ritual substance—mṛttikā (sacred clay)—sourced from Varāha’s tusk-cleft earth, implying dravya-śuddhi (purity of offerings) as a support for Śiva-liṅga pūjā.

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

Indirectly, it shows Śiva-tattva as Pati (Lord) who is approached through purified means: the Earth herself becomes a sanctioned medium for worship, indicating that bondage (pāśa) is loosened for the pashu (soul) by disciplined, consecrated practice oriented to the Lord.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritual purification and preparation of sacred clay for worship—an external discipline that complements Pāśupata-oriented inner purification, making the practitioner fit (adhikārin) for Śiva-pūjā.