Shloka 33

Adhyaya 44: Nandikesvara’s Manifestation and Abhisheka; The Rule of Namaskara in Shiva-Nama

Devanagari script

सर्वकार्यविधिं कर्तुम् आदिदेश पितामहम् पितामहो ऽपि भगवान् नियोगादेव तस्य तु

Transliteration

sarvakāryavidhiṃ kartum ādideśa pitāmaham pitāmaho 'pi bhagavān niyogādeva tasya tu

Translation

あらゆる宇宙の働きの完全な作法を定めるため、主はピターマハ（梵天）に命じた。ピターマハもまた、神格でありながら、その勅命のみに従って行じた。

Word by Word

• सर्व (sarva): all

• कार्य (kārya): tasks, cosmic functions

• विधि (vidhi): rule, procedure, ordinance

• कर्तुम् (kartum): to do, to institute

• आदिदेश (ādideśa): commanded, ordained

• पितामहम् (pitāmaham): Pitāmaha, Brahmā

• पितामहः (pitāmahaḥ): Brahmā

• अपि (api): even

• भगवान् (bhagavān): the divine one

• नियोगात् (niyogāt): by command, by injunction

• एव (eva): alone, indeed

• तस्य (tasya): of Him (the Supreme Lord)

• तु (tu): however/indeed (emphatic)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the cosmic order; internal reference to Shiva’s/Īśvara’s command to Brahma)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It establishes that all ritual and cosmic procedures (vidhi) arise from the Supreme Lord’s command; Linga worship is therefore not merely custom but participation in Shiva’s ordained order.

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

Shiva appears as Pati—the sovereign regulator—whose niyoga governs even Brahmā; Shiva-tattva is the supreme authority behind creation and sacred law.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The key principle is niyoga-anusaraṇa—performing prescribed action in obedience to the Lord’s ordinance—an attitude central to disciplined puja-vidhi and Pashupata-aligned practice.