Shloka 168

वासिष्ठकथनम् (आदित्य–सोमवंशवर्णनम् तथा रुद्रसहस्रनाम-प्रशंसा)

Devanagari script

व्रताधिपः परं ब्रह्म मुक्तानां परमा गतिः विमुक्तो मुक्तकेशश् च श्रीमाञ्छ्रीवर्धनो जगत्

Transliteration

vratādhipaḥ paraṃ brahma muktānāṃ paramā gatiḥ vimukto muktakeśaś ca śrīmāñchrīvardhano jagat

Translation

അവൻ വ്രതാധിപൻ, പരബ്രഹ്മം, മുക്തരുടെ പരമഗതി. അവൻ സദാ വിമുക്തൻ, മുക്തകേശൻ; ശ്രീമാൻ—ശ്രീവർധനൻ, ജഗത്തെ ധരിക്കുന്നവൻ.

Word by Word

• व्रताधिपः: Lord of vows/observances

• परं ब्रह्म: the Supreme Brahman (Pati beyond all)

• मुक्तानां: of the liberated (mukta-pashus)

• परमा गतिः: the supreme destination/goal

• विमुक्तः: completely free, untouched by pāśa (bondage)

• मुक्तकेशः: one whose hair is loosened/unbound (ascetic form)

• च: and

• श्रीमान्: possessed of śrī (splendour, auspiciousness)

• श्रीवर्धनः: increaser of prosperity and sacred fortune

• जगत्: the world/universe

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s names to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames the Linga-Lord as both the ruler of vrata (disciplined observance) and the giver of the highest fruit—moksha—showing that Linga-puja is not only for worldly śrī but also for liberation of the pashu through Pati’s grace.

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

Shiva is identified as Para Brahman and as Vimukta—ever unbound by pāśa—while simultaneously being the supreme gati of the liberated, emphasizing Shaiva Siddhanta’s Pati as transcendent, free, and the ultimate refuge.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Vrata (sacred observance) is highlighted—disciplined worship and restraint aligned with Pashupata-oriented sadhana—leading from prosperity (śrīvardhana) to the supreme goal (paramā gatiḥ).