Shloka 9

Adhyaya 87 — Saṃsāra-viṣa-kathana: Ājñā-śakti, Māyā-bandha, and Mokṣa by Prasāda

Devanagari script

पुरा ममाज्ञा मद्वक्त्रात् समुत्पन्ना सनातनी पञ्चवक्त्रा महाभागा जगतामभयप्रदा

Transliteration

purā mamājñā madvaktrāt samutpannā sanātanī pañcavaktrā mahābhāgā jagatāmabhayapradā

Translation

Autrefois, Mon Commandement éternel jaillit de Ma propre bouche—auspicieux, aux cinq visages—accordant l’intrépidité à tous les mondes.

Word by Word

• पुरा: formerly

• मम: my

• आज्ञा: command/ordinance

• मद्वक्त्रात्: from my mouth

• समुत्पन्ना: arose/was manifested

• सनातनी: eternal

• पञ्चवक्त्रा: five-faced

• महाभागा: greatly auspicious/most fortunate

• जगताम्: of the worlds

• अभयप्रदा: giver of fearlessness/protection

Speaker

Shiva (within Suta’s narration to the sages)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva’s ājñā (divine ordinance) as a protective, world-sustaining power—implying that Linga-pūjā aligns the devotee (pashu) with the Lord (Pati) who grants abhayam (fearlessness).

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

Shiva-tattva is shown as sanātana (eternal) and sovereign: his very utterance becomes a manifest power that governs and protects the cosmos, expressing Pati’s rulership over pashus and pasha.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The key takeaway is abhayaprāpti (attainment of fearlessness) through Shiva’s grace—classically sought via mantra-japa, Linga-arcana, and Pāśupata discipline that turns the pashu toward the Pati.