Shloka 3

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

ते देवाः शक्तिमुशलैः सायकैर्नतपर्वभिः प्रभिद्यमानाः कुन्तैश् च दुद्रुवुर्भयविह्वलाः

Transliteration

te devāḥ śaktimuśalaiḥ sāyakairnataparvabhiḥ prabhidyamānāḥ kuntaiś ca dudruvurbhayavihvalāḥ

Translation

Struck and pierced by javelins, clubs, and arrows whose joints were bent, and also by spears, the Devas—overwhelmed by fear—fled in confusion. Thus the bound souls (paśu), when assailed by the forces of bondage (pāśa), lose steadiness until they take refuge in the Lord (Pati), Śiva.

Word by Word

• ते (te): those

• देवाः (devāḥ): the Devas, divine beings

• शक्ति (śakti): javelin, lance

• मुशलैः (muśalaiḥ): with clubs/maces

• सायकैः (sāyakaiḥ): with arrows

• नतपर्वभिः (nata-parvabhiḥ): having bent joints/segments (of shafts)

• प्रभिद्यमानाः (prabhidyamānāḥ): being pierced, being struck through

• कुन्तैः (kuntaiḥ): with spears

• च (ca): and

• दुद्रुवुः (dudruvuḥ): fled, ran away

• भयविह्वलाः (bhaya-vihvalāḥ): agitated by fear, panic-stricken

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purva-Bhaga battle account to the Sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Devas

FAQs

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

It shows the Devas losing composure under attack, implying that true protection is not merely martial but devotional—refuge in Pati (Śiva), worshipped as the Linga, who grants fearlessness and stability.

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

By contrast: the Devas are shaken by fear, while Shiva-tattva is the unshaken Pati—beyond agitation—who becomes the ultimate shelter when beings are pierced by the pressures of pāśa (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway aligns with Pāśupata discipline: in distress and instability, one turns inward to steady awareness and takes śaraṇāgati (refuge) in Śiva—often expressed outwardly through Linga-pūjā for protection and fearlessness.