Shloka 33

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

Devanagari script

विश्वाधिकः स्वतन्त्रश् च कर्ता हर्ताखिलेश्वरः इदं तु मत्परं तेजः कः पुनः श्रोतुमिच्छति

Transliteration

viśvādhikaḥ svatantraś ca kartā hartākhileśvaraḥ idaṃ tu matparaṃ tejaḥ kaḥ punaḥ śrotumicchati

Translation

He is beyond the entire universe, absolutely independent, the doer and the withdrawer, the Lord of all. This, indeed, is the supreme splendor wholly oriented to Me (Śiva as Pati). Who, then, wishes to hear further?

Word by Word

• विश्वाधिकः: beyond the universe, transcending all worlds

• स्वतन्त्रः: independent, self-sovereign

• च: and

• कर्ता: creator/doer/agent

• हर्ता: withdrawer/destroyer/one who reabsorbs

• अखिलेश्वरः: Lord of all without remainder

• इदम्: this

• तु: indeed/but

• मत्परम्: having Me as the highest goal, centered on Me

• तेजः: splendor, divine radiance/power

• कः: who?

• पुनः: further/again

• श्रोतुम्: to hear

• इच्छति: desires

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-tattva within the Purana’s discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It establishes Shiva as Akhileśvara—the transcendent, independent Pati—so Linga worship is directed to the supreme Lord who creates and withdraws all, not merely to a worldly deity.

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

Shiva is portrayed as viśvādhika (beyond the cosmos) and svatantra (absolutely free), the ultimate agent of manifestation and reabsorption—hallmarks of Pati-tattva in Shaiva Siddhanta.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse primarily highlights tattva-jñāna (right understanding) foundational to Pāśupata orientation: turning the pashu’s attention to the matpara (Shiva-centered) tejas through devotion and contemplation during Linga-puja.