Shloka 57

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

Devanagari script

अतस्त्वमुग्रकलया मृत्योर्मृत्युर्भविष्यसि स्थिरधन्वा क्षयो वीरो वीरो विश्वाधिकः प्रभुः

Transliteration

atastvamugrakalayā mṛtyormṛtyurbhaviṣyasi sthiradhanvā kṣayo vīro vīro viśvādhikaḥ prabhuḥ

Translation

Therefore, by My fierce potency (ugra-kalā), you shall become the ‘death of Death’ itself. O Sthiradhanvā, you shall be the destroyer (kṣaya), a heroic one—indeed the foremost hero—an overlord surpassing the world, ruling by the Lord’s mandate.

Word by Word

• atas: therefore

• tvam: you

• ugra-kalayā: by (My) fierce portion/potency

• mṛtyoḥ: of death

• mṛtyuḥ: death (i.e., the slayer)

• bhaviṣyasi: you will become

• sthiradhanvā: O Sthiradhanvā (proper name/epithet, ‘steady-bowed’)

• kṣayaḥ: destruction/decay, the destroyer

• vīraḥ: hero

• vīraḥ: (again) the greatest hero

• viśva-adhikaḥ: exceeding/surpassing the world

• prabhuḥ: lord, sovereign.

Speaker

Shiva (within Suta’s narration to the sages)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Mrityu (Death)
• Sthiradhanva

FAQs

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

It presents Shiva as the giver of ugra-śakti that overcomes mṛtyu; Linga-worship is thus framed as taking refuge in Pati (Shiva) who can sever pasha—especially the fear and compulsion of death—for the pashu (soul).

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

Shiva-tattva is shown as supreme sovereignty (prabhutva) and mastery over cosmic limitation—so complete that even ‘Death’ is subordinated; this reflects Pati as the transcendent Lord whose power grants liberation and fearless authority.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway aligns with Mrityunjaya-oriented Shaiva sadhana—Linga-puja with mantra-japa and Pashupata-bhakti aimed at conquering mṛtyu by Shiva’s anugraha (grace), rather than by mere personal effort.