Shloka 35

Devanagari script

प्रशान्तः स वनस्थो ऽपि ब्राह्मणैरेव बोधितः जगाम धनुरादाय देशमन्यं ध्वजी रथी

Transliteration

praśāntaḥ sa vanastho 'pi brāhmaṇaireva bodhitaḥ jagāma dhanurādāya deśamanyaṃ dhvajī rathī

Translation

അവൻ ശാന്തനായി വനവാസിയായിരുന്നിട്ടും ബ്രാഹ്മണന്മാർ ഉപദേശിച്ചു; ധനുസ്സെടുത്തു ധ്വജധാരിയായ രഥിയായി മറ്റൊരു ദേശത്തേക്ക് പോയി।

Word by Word

• प्रशान्तः: pacified, composed

• स: he

• वनस्थः: one dwelling in the forest, forest-ascetic

• अपि: even though

• ब्राह्मणैः एव: by the brahmins alone/indeed

• बोधितः: instructed, awakened to right understanding

• जगाम: went, departed

• धनुः: bow

• आदाय: having taken up

• देशम्: to a country/region

• अन्यं: another

• ध्वजी: having a banner/standard, standard-bearing

• रथी: charioteer, warrior in a chariot

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Brahmins

FAQs

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

It highlights that true Shaiva life is not mere withdrawal: under dharmic guidance (brahminical instruction), one may resume rightful action without losing inner peace—supporting Linga worship as a discipline that purifies action rather than rejecting it.

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

Implicitly, it reflects Shiva as Pati—the Lord who enables composure (praśānti) while allowing dharmic engagement; the ideal is action performed without intensifying pāśa (bondage), aligned to higher order.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A practical Pashupata-oriented takeaway: maintain inner tranquility (śama) while performing svadharma; guidance from the learned functions like guru-upadeśa, directing the pashu away from bondage-producing action toward dharma-sustaining action.