Shloka 31

Adhyaya 72 — Puradāha: Rudra’s Cosmic Chariot, Pāśupata-Vrata, and Brahmā’s Shiva-Stuti

Devanagari script

वृषेन्द्ररूपी चोत्थाप्य स्थापयामास वै क्षणम् क्षणान्तरे वृषेन्द्रो ऽपि जानुभ्यामगमद्धराम्

Transliteration

vṛṣendrarūpī cotthāpya sthāpayāmāsa vai kṣaṇam kṣaṇāntare vṛṣendro 'pi jānubhyāmagamaddharām

Translation

വൃഷേന്ദ്രരൂപം ധരിച്ചു അദ്ദേഹം അതിനെ ഉയർത്തി ഒരു ക്ഷണം നേരെ നിർത്തി; എന്നാൽ അടുത്ത ക്ഷണത്തിൽ ആ മഹാബലവാൻ വൃഷേന്ദ്രൻ മുട്ടുകുത്തി വീണ്ടും ഭൂമിയിലേക്കു താഴ്ന്നു।

Word by Word

• वृषेन्द्ररूपी: taking the form of the lordly bull

• च: and

• उत्थाप्य: having lifted up/raised

• स्थापयामास: caused to stand, set upright

• वै: indeed

• क्षणम्: for a moment

• क्षणान्तरे: in the next moment/soon after

• वृषेन्द्रः अपि: even the bull-lord

• जानुभ्याम्: on (his) two knees

• अगमत्: went, fell down

• धराम्: to the earth/ground

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It highlights that all strength and stability ultimately rest in Pati (Shiva); without Shiva’s sustaining power, even the mightiest “bull-like” force collapses—an inner lesson for approaching the Linga with humility and surrender.

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

Shiva-tattva is shown as the sovereign support (adhāra) who can raise and steady beings, yet also reveals their inherent limitation as pashu (bound soul) under pāśa; grace may lift one, but lasting steadiness requires true alignment with Shiva.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway is Pashupata-style humility and śaraṇāgati (refuge): momentary elevation is not liberation; steadiness comes through disciplined worship of the Linga and yogic restraint that loosens pāśa (bondage).