Shloka 7

Mahādeva’s Boon: Unwavering Bhakti, Tri-functional Cosmos, and the Supratiṣṭhā of Liṅga-Arcā

Devanagari script

देवः प्रदत्तवान् देवाः स्वात्मन्यव्यभिचारिणीम् ब्रह्मणे विष्णवे चैव श्रद्धां शीतांशुभूषणः

Transliteration

devaḥ pradattavān devāḥ svātmanyavyabhicāriṇīm brahmaṇe viṣṇave caiva śraddhāṃ śītāṃśubhūṣaṇaḥ

Translation

月を飾りとするデーヴァ（シヴァ）は、神々に対し、自らの真我に定まった、逸れなき堅固なシュラッダー（信）が授けられた。さらにその同じ不動のシュラッダーを、ブラフマーとヴィシュヌにも与えられた。

Word by Word

• devaḥ: the Lord (Śiva)

• pradattavān: bestowed, granted

• devāḥ: to the gods

• sva-ātmani: in His own Self (in Śiva as Pati)

• avyabhicāriṇīm: unerring, unwavering, not deviating

• brahmaṇe: to Brahmā

• viṣṇave: to Viṣṇu

• ca eva: and indeed/also

• śraddhām: faith, trust, reverent conviction

• śītāṁśu-bhūṣaṇaḥ: the One adorned with the moon (Śiva)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana’s account to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma
• Vishnu
• Devas

FAQs

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

It frames śraddhā (reverent conviction) as Shiva’s gift: Linga-pūjā becomes effective when devotion is unwavering and anchored in the Pati (Śiva) rather than in shifting worldly supports.

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

Shiva appears as the supreme ground of faith itself—bestowing steady orientation toward His own Self, indicating His role as Pati who governs and uplifts devas, including Brahmā and Viṣṇu, through anugraha (grace).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The key takeaway is niścala-śraddhā (non-deviating faith), the inner qualification for Pāśupata orientation—supporting steadiness in japa, dhyāna, and Linga-arcana as grace-led practice.