Shloka 23

Adhyaya 87 — Saṃsāra-viṣa-kathana: Ājñā-śakti, Māyā-bandha, and Mokṣa by Prasāda

Devanagari script

विश्वं भूतं तथा जातं बहुधा रुद्र एव सः रुद्राज्ञैषा स्थिता देवी ह्य् अनया मुक्तिरंबिका

Transliteration

viśvaṃ bhūtaṃ tathā jātaṃ bahudhā rudra eva saḥ rudrājñaiṣā sthitā devī hy anayā muktiraṃbikā

Translation

ഈ സമസ്ത വിശ്വം—ഭൂതമായതും പല രൂപങ്ങളിൽ ജനിക്കുന്നതും—നിശ്ചയമായി രുദ്രൻ തന്നേ. രുദ്രാജ്ഞയാൽ ഈ ദേവി സ്ഥാപിതയാണ്; അംബികേ, അവളാൽ തന്നെയാണ് മോക്ഷം ലഭിക്കുന്നത്।

Word by Word

• viśvam: the universe

• bhūtam: what has come to be/existed

• tathā: likewise/and

• jātam: what is born/manifested

• bahudhā: in many ways/in manifold forms

• rudraḥ eva: Rudra alone

• saḥ: he/that (reality)

• rudra-ājñayā: by Rudra’s command

• eṣā: this (one)

• sthitā: is established/abides

• devī: the Goddess (Śakti)

• hi: indeed

• anayā: by/through her

• muktiḥ: liberation

• ambikā: O Ambikā (Mother Goddess).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana; verse expresses the Shaiva doctrine within the narration)

Characters & Entities

• Rudra
• Devi
• Ambika

FAQs

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

It grounds Linga worship in tattva: the Linga signifies Rudra as the all-pervading reality, while devotion to Shiva together with reverence for his Śakti leads the pashu (soul) toward mukti.

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

It presents Rudra as the very substance of all manifestation—everything that exists and arises in many forms—affirming Pati as the immanent cause and inner self of the cosmos.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway is Śiva-Śakti upāsanā: aligning oneself with Rudra’s ājñā (divine ordinance) through worship and contemplative recognition that liberation is mediated by Devi as Shiva’s power.