Shloka 5

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

Devanagari script

साट्टहासैर् गणवरैर् उत्पतद्भिर् इतस्ततः नृसिंहरूपैरत्युग्रैः कोटिभिः परिवारितः

Transliteration

sāṭṭahāsair gaṇavarair utpatadbhir itastataḥ nṛsiṃharūpairatyugraiḥ koṭibhiḥ parivāritaḥ

Translation

Il fut entouré de toutes parts par des crores de Gaṇas éminents, bondissant çà et là dans un rire tonitruant, prenant des formes d’homme-lion d’une férocité extrême.

Word by Word

• sāṭṭahāsaiḥ: with loud/boisterous laughter

• gaṇa-varaiḥ: by excellent/foremost gaṇas (Śiva’s attendants)

• utpatadbhiḥ: by those who were springing/leaping up

• itas tataḥ: here and there, in all directions

• nṛsiṃha-rūpaiḥ: with man-lion forms

• atyugraiḥ: exceedingly terrible/fierce

• koṭibhiḥ: by crores (tens of millions)

• parivāritaḥ: surrounded/encircled

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Ganas

FAQs

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

It highlights Shiva’s protective and sovereign presence: the Gaṇas encircle the Lord, signifying that the Linga is not merely a symbol but the living seat of Pati, guarded by his divine powers against forces that sustain pāśa (bondage).

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

Shiva-tattva is shown as supreme mastery (aiśvarya) and irresistible potency: the Lord’s will manifests as innumerable fierce attendants, indicating Pati’s governance over all pashus (souls) and all realms.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse implies the Pāśupata orientation of seeking refuge in Pati: in worship and sādhana, one approaches the Linga with protective mantras and disciplined conduct, trusting Shiva’s gaṇic śakti to remove obstacles and weaken pāśa.