Shloka 9

Adhyaya 71: पुरत्रयवृत्तान्तः—ब्रह्मवरदानम्, मयकृतत्रिपुर-निर्माणम्, विष्णुमाया-धर्मविघ्नः, शिवस्तुति, त्रिपुरदाहोपक्रमः

Devanagari script

विद्युन्माली तारकाक्षः कमलाक्षश् च वीर्यवान् तपस्तेपुर्महात्मानो महाबलपराक्रमाः

Transliteration

vidyunmālī tārakākṣaḥ kamalākṣaś ca vīryavān tapastepurmahātmāno mahābalaparākramāḥ

Translation

Vidyunmālī, Tārakākṣa et Kamalākṣa—chacun puissant en vaillance—accomplirent des austérités ; ces grandes âmes étaient dotées d’une force immense et d’un élan héroïque.

Word by Word

• विद्युन्माली: Vidyunmālī (a Daitya)

• तारकाक्षः: Tārakākṣa (a Daitya)

• कमलाक्षः: Kamalākṣa (a Daitya)

• च: and

• वीर्यवान्: possessed of vigor/valor

• तपः: austerity (tapas)

• तेपुः: they practiced/performed

• महात्मानः: great-souled

• महाबलपराक्रमाः: of great strength and prowess

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya, contextual)

Characters & Entities

• Vidyunmālī
• Tārakākṣa
• Kamalākṣa

FAQs

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

It establishes the narrative cause: immense tapas can generate extraordinary worldly power, yet in Shaiva understanding true fulfillment comes when such power is aligned to Pati (Shiva) through devotion and right worship, not merely ascetic force.

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

Indirectly, it contrasts created potency (from tapas) with the implied supremacy of Shiva-tattva: even the most powerful beings arise within the bounds of Pasha (cosmic limitation), while Pati alone remains the ultimate sovereign who can grant or restrain boons.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Tapas (austerity)—a yogic discipline that concentrates will and merit; the verse hints that austerity alone yields power, but liberation of the Pashu requires Shiva-oriented sadhana (Pashupata orientation) rather than ego-driven asceticism.