Shloka 30

देवदारुवनौकसां प्रति ब्रह्मोपदेशः—लिङ्गलक्षण-प्रतिष्ठा-विधिः, शिवमायारूपदर्शनं, स्तुतिः

Devanagari script

क्वचिन्नृत्यति शृङ्गारं क्वचिद्रौति मुहुर्मुहुः आश्रमे ह्यटते भैक्ष्यं याचते च पुनः पुनः

Transliteration

kvacinnṛtyati śṛṅgāraṃ kvacidrauti muhurmuhuḥ āśrame hyaṭate bhaikṣyaṃ yācate ca punaḥ punaḥ

Translation

ചിലപ്പോൾ ശൃംഗാരഭാവത്തോടെ നൃത്തം ചെയ്യുന്നു, ചിലപ്പോൾ വീണ്ടും വീണ്ടും കരയുന്നു. ആശ്രമത്തിൽ ഭിക്ഷയ്ക്കായി അലഞ്ഞ് പുനഃപുനഃ യാചിക്കുന്നു—ബാഹ്യത്തിൽ വിചിത്രം, എന്നാൽ അന്തരത്തിൽ പാശാതീതനായ പതി ശിവനിൽ അചഞ്ചലം।

Word by Word

• kvacit: at times/nowhere in particular

• nṛtyati: he dances

• śṛṅgāram: amorous mood/erotic sentiment/as if adorned with passion

• kvacid: at times

• rauti: he cries/weeps

• muhur muhuḥ: again and again/repeatedly

• āśrame: in the hermitage/monastic dwelling

• hi: indeed

• aṭate: he roams/wanders

• bhaikṣyam: alms/begging-food

• yācate: he begs/requests

• ca: and

• punaḥ punaḥ: repeatedly/again and again

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya; describing the observances of a Shaiva ascetic/Pashupata practitioner)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It highlights that true devotion to Shiva is not merely external ritual; even when an ascetic’s outward conduct appears unconventional, the inner orientation is toward Pati Shiva—freedom from pāśa—supporting the Linga Purana’s emphasis on inner realization alongside worship.

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

By implying an unwavering inner refuge in Shiva despite changing emotions and actions, it points to Shiva-tattva as the stable Pati—pure consciousness beyond fluctuation—who liberates the pashu from bondage (pāśa).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It reflects a Pashupata/avadhuta-style discipline: bhiksha-wandering and deliberate disregard for social norms, used to weaken ego and attachments so the yogin abides in Shiva.