Shloka 4
Śatarudrīya-prabhāva and Rudra’s Supremacy (शतरुद्रीयप्रभावः)
तत्र देवो मुदा युक्तो भूतसंघशतैर्व॑त: । नानारूपैर्विख्पैश्व दिव्यैरद्भुतदर्शनै:
tatra devo mudā yukto bhūtasaṅghaśatair vṛtaḥ | nānārūpair vikṛtaiś ca divyair adbhutadārśanaiḥ ||
तेथे महादेव शेकडो भूतसमूहांनी वेढलेले असून आनंदात मग्न होते। त्या भूतांची रूपे नानाविध व विकृत होती; परंतु काहींची रूपे दिव्य व अद्भुत दर्शनीय होती।
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the awe-inspiring, paradoxical nature of the divine: Śiva’s presence harmonizes what appears fearsome or distorted with what is radiant and wondrous, suggesting that the sacred can encompass and transform all forms beyond ordinary aesthetic judgment.
Nārada describes a scene where Mahādeva dwells joyfully, encircled by numerous bhūta-companies whose appearances range from grotesque to divinely marvelous, emphasizing the extraordinary character of Śiva’s retinue and abode.