Shloka 4
Śatarudrīya-prabhāva and Rudra’s Supremacy (शतरुद्रीयप्रभावः)
तत्र देवो मुदा युक्तो भूतसंघशतैर्व॑त: । नानारूपैर्विख्पैश्व दिव्यैरद्भुतदर्शनै:
tatra devo mudā yukto bhūtasaṅghaśatair vṛtaḥ | nānārūpair vikṛtaiś ca divyair adbhutadārśanaiḥ ||
Là, le grand Dieu (Mahādeva), entouré de centaines de compagnies de bhūtas, se réjouissait d’une joie sereine. Ces êtres d’escorte prenaient des formes innombrables —souvent grotesques et difformes, mais parfois aussi rayonnantes et merveilleuses à contempler—, signe de la majesté saisissante de la demeure et de la suite de Śiva.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the awe-inspiring, paradoxical nature of the divine: Śiva’s presence harmonizes what appears fearsome or distorted with what is radiant and wondrous, suggesting that the sacred can encompass and transform all forms beyond ordinary aesthetic judgment.
Nārada describes a scene where Mahādeva dwells joyfully, encircled by numerous bhūta-companies whose appearances range from grotesque to divinely marvelous, emphasizing the extraordinary character of Śiva’s retinue and abode.