Shloka 41

स्वेच्छाविग्रहसंभव-प्रतिष्ठाफलवर्णनम् (विविधशिवमूर्तिप्रतिष्ठा, लोक-फल, शिवसायुज्य)

Devanagari script

पूर्वदेवामराणां च यत्स्थानं सकलेप्सितम् कृतमुद्रस्य देवस्य चिताभस्मानुलेपिनः

Transliteration

pūrvadevāmarāṇāṃ ca yatsthānaṃ sakalepsitam kṛtamudrasya devasya citābhasmānulepinaḥ

Translation

古のデーヴァさえ希い求める至上の住処とは、聖なるムドラーを帯び、荼毘の灰を身に塗るその主の位である。彼はパティ、あらゆる世界を超える主宰者として、出離のしるしたるバスマ（聖灰）により、縛られたパシュ（paśu）に解脱を授ける。

Word by Word

• पूर्वदेवामराणाम्: of the ancient gods (Devas)

• च: and

• यत्-स्थानम्: that abode/seat/state

• सकल-ईप्सितम्: desired by all, universally longed for

• कृत-मुद्रस्य: of Him who has assumed/formed the (sacred) mudrā/sign

• देवस्य: of the Lord, the Deity

• चिता-भस्म-अनुलेपिनः: of Him who is smeared/anointed with cremation-ash (vibhūti).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Devas

FAQs

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

It elevates Shiva’s ash-anointing (vibhuti) and sacred mudrā as marks of the highest state sought even by the Devas, implying that Linga worship is fulfilled by inner renunciation and devotion to Pati.

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

Shiva is portrayed as the transcendent Lord whose ‘abode’ is universally desired—signified by cremation-ash and mudrā—indicating mastery over impermanence and the power to free the pashu from pasha.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The practice of applying bhasma (vibhuti) and adopting a Shaiva mudrā—outer signs aligned with Pashupata-style detachment and remembrance of Shiva as the liberating Pati.