Shloka 4

अध्याय ९६: शरभ-प्रादुर्भावः, नृसिंह-दर्पशमनम्, विष्णोः शिवस्तुतिः, फलश्रुति

Devanagari script

भैरव (देस्च्रिप्तिओन्) आत्मनो भैरवं रूपं महाप्रलयकारकम् आजगाम पुरा सद्यो गणानामग्रतो हसन्

Transliteration

Bhairava (description) ātmano bhairavaṃ rūpaṃ mahāpralayakārakam ājagāma purā sadyo gaṇānāmagrato hasan

Translation

Bhairava—dont la seule forme est cause du Grand Pralaya—se manifesta jadis aussitôt en son propre aspect de Bhairava et, riant, s’avança devant les troupes des Gaṇas.

Word by Word

• आत्मनः: of himself/one’s own

• भैरवम्: the Bhairava (terrific) aspect

• रूपम्: form

• महाप्रलयकारकम्: causing the great dissolution

• आजगाम: came, manifested/appeared

• पुरा: formerly, once

• सद्यः: immediately, at once

• गणानाम्: of the Gaṇas (Śiva’s attendants)

• अग्रतः: in front, before

• हसन्: laughing

• भैरव: Bhairava (name/aspect of Śiva)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages; internal description of Shiva’s Bhairava aspect)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Bhairava
• Ganas

FAQs

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

It frames Śiva as Pati—the supreme Lord whose power includes dissolution (pralaya); Linga worship honors this sovereignty, where destruction is also purification of pasha (bondage) for the pashu (soul).

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

Śiva-tattva is shown as self-manifesting and absolute: Bhairava arises from Śiva himself, embodying the cosmic function of mahāpralaya, yet appearing with effortless mastery (even laughter) before his gaṇas.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse primarily conveys tattva (principle) rather than a specific rite: it supports Pāśupata-oriented contemplation of Bhairava—meditating on the Lord as the remover of fear and bonds through his pralaya-śakti.