Shloka 18

Adhyaya 17: लिङ्गोद्भव—ब्रह्मविष्ण्वहङ्कार-शमनं, ओंकार-प्रादुर्भावः, मन्त्र-तत्त्वं च

Devanagari script

स्वागतंस्वागतं वत्स पितामह महाद्युते तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा स्मितपूर्वं सुरर्षभाः

Transliteration

svāgataṃsvāgataṃ vatsa pitāmaha mahādyute tasya tadvacanaṃ śrutvā smitapūrvaṃ surarṣabhāḥ

Translation

« Sois le bienvenu—sois le bienvenu, cher enfant ! Ô Pitāmaha à l’éclat immense ! » À ces mots, les plus éminents parmi les Devas répondirent par de doux sourires, honorant l’ordre cosmique, tout en demeurant tournés vers le Pati suprême, Śiva, au-delà de tous les rangs créés.

Word by Word

• svāgatam: welcome

• svāgatam: welcome (again, emphatic)

• vatsa: dear child/beloved one

• pitāmaha: Grandfather (Brahmā)

• mahā-dyute: of great radiance

• tasya: of him/of that (speaker)

• tad-vacanam: those words/speech

• śrutvā: having heard

• smita-pūrvam: preceded by a smile/with a smile first

• sura-ṛṣabhāḥ: the bulls among the gods, the best of the Devas

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Devas’ exchange, with Brahma being addressed)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Devas

FAQs

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

It establishes the Devas’ disciplined reverence and proper hierarchy (maryādā) within creation—an attitude that prepares the mind (pashu) for approaching the Linga as the transcendent Pati, beyond even Brahmā’s radiance.

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

By highlighting honour given to Brahmā while implying a higher focus, it reflects Shaiva Siddhānta’s distinction: Brahmā is a created authority within sṛṣṭi, whereas Shiva-tattva is the supreme Pati who stands beyond all offices of creation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway is inner discipline expressed as respectful speech and controlled response (smita-pūrvam). Such restraint is aligned with preparatory conduct for pūjā and the ethical ground of Pāśupata-oriented practice.