Shloka 2

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

सूत उवाच देवानाम् असुरेन्द्राणाम् अभवच्च सुदारुणः सर्वेषामेव भूतानां विनाशकरणो महान्

Transliteration

sūta uvāca devānām asurendrāṇām abhavacca sudāruṇaḥ sarveṣāmeva bhūtānāṃ vināśakaraṇo mahān

Translation

Sūta said: Between the Devas and the lords of the Asuras there arose a most dreadful conflict, a mighty cause of destruction for all beings. Yet, for the discerning, even such dissolution reveals the Lord (Pati) as the hidden governor of sṛṣṭi and pralaya, while bound souls (paśu) suffer under the force of their bonds (pāśa).

Word by Word

• सूत उवाच: Sūta said

• देवानाम्: of the Devas

• असुरेन्द्राणाम्: of the chiefs/lords of the Asuras

• अभवत्: arose/occurred

• च: and

• सुदारुणः: very dreadful/terrible

• सर्वेषाम् एव: of all indeed

• भूतानाम्: beings/creatures

• विनाश-करणः: causing destruction

• महान्: great/mighty

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Asuras

FAQs

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

It frames cosmic conflict and destruction (vināśa) as part of the larger Shaiva vision where the Linga signifies the transcendent Pati who remains steady while worlds rise and fall—prompting devotees to seek refuge in Shiva through Linga-upāsanā.

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

Though Shiva is not named directly, the verse points to a universal destruction affecting “all beings,” implying a governing reality beyond Devas and Asuras; in Shaiva Siddhānta this is Shiva as Pati, the Lord who presides over pralaya while souls (paśu) experience the results of bondage (pāśa).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific rite is stated, but the implied takeaway aligns with Pāśupata discipline: turning from external conflict toward inner conquest—seeking Shiva as refuge through japa, dhyāna, and Linga-pūjā to loosen pāśa and stabilize the paśu.