Shloka 46

दारुवनलीला—नीललोहितपरीक्षा, ब्रह्मोपदेशः, अतिथिधर्मः, संन्यासक्रमः

Devanagari script

गृहस्थो ऽपि पुरा जेतुं सुदर्शन इति श्रुतः प्रतिज्ञामकरोज्जायां भार्यामाह पतिव्रताम्

Transliteration

gṛhastho 'pi purā jetuṃ sudarśana iti śrutaḥ pratijñāmakarojjāyāṃ bhāryāmāha pativratām

Translation

Dans les temps anciens, bien qu’il fût maître de maison, on rapporte que Sudarśana, célèbre, résolut de vaincre l’épreuve qui se présentait. Ayant prononcé un vœu solennel, il parla à son épouse, pativratā, dévouée à son mari, et lui déclara son dessein.

Word by Word

• गृहस्थः: householder

• अपि: even though

• पुरा: formerly/once

• जेतुम्: to conquer/overcome

• सुदर्शनः: Sudarśana (proper name)

• इति: thus

• श्रुतः: heard of/renowned as

• प्रतिज्ञाम्: vow/solemn resolve

• अकरोत्: made

• जायाम्: to (his) wife

• भार्याम्: spouse/wife

• आह: said/spoke

• पतिव्रताम्: devoted to her husband (pativratā)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Sudarshana

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva-oriented sādhanā as accessible even to a gṛhastha: firm pratijñā (vow) and disciplined conduct become the foundation for later acts of Shiva-pūjā and inner purification.

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

Indirectly, it points to Shiva-tattva as the supreme Pati approached through resolve and dharma: the pashu (individual soul) begins loosening pasha (bondage) by taking a sacred vow aligned with devotion and duty.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Vrata (solemn vow) and dharmic self-restraint are highlighted—key preparatory disciplines that support Pashupata-oriented practice and make the mind fit for Shiva-upāsanā.