Shloka 15

अध्याय ९६: शरभ-प्रादुर्भावः, नृसिंह-दर्पशमनम्, विष्णोः शिवस्तुतिः, फलश्रुति

Devanagari script

वक्त्रमानय कृत्तिं च वीरभद्र ममाज्ञया इत्यादिष्टो गणाध्यक्षः प्रशान्तवपुरास्थितः

Transliteration

vaktramānaya kṛttiṃ ca vīrabhadra mamājñayā ityādiṣṭo gaṇādhyakṣaḥ praśāntavapurāsthitaḥ

Translation

“Bring to Me the face and the hide as well, O Vīrabhadra—by My command.” Thus instructed, the leader of the Gaṇas remained steady, his form composed and tranquil, established in obedience to the Lord (Pati).

Word by Word

• वक्त्रम्: the face (severed head/face)

• आनय: bring

• कृत्तिम्: the hide/skin

• च: and

• वीरभद्र: O Virabhadra

• मम: my

• आज्ञया: by (my) command

• इति: thus

• आदिष्टः: instructed/ordered

• गणाध्यक्षः: the chief of the gaṇas

• प्रशान्त: calm, pacified

• वपुः: body/form

• आस्थितः: remained/stood firm, established

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the internal Shiva–Gana episode)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Virabhadra
• Ganas

FAQs

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

It highlights Shiva as Pati (the sovereign Lord) whose command governs all cosmic action; Linga worship centers on this lordship and the devotee’s disciplined alignment with Shiva’s will.

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

Shiva-tattva is shown as absolute authority and inner stillness: even fierce acts proceed from the Lord’s command, while his attendants remain praśānta (composed), reflecting the transcendent calm of Pati beyond reactive passion.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The yogic principle of ājñā-pālana (obedience to the Guru/Lord’s command) and steadiness (sthiti) is implied—key to Pāśupata discipline where the pashu (soul) loosens pasha (bondage) through surrender to Pati.