Shloka 43

Adhyaya 44: Nandikesvara’s Manifestation and Abhisheka; The Rule of Namaskara in Shiva-Nama

Devanagari script

रथश् च हेमच्छत्रं च चन्द्रबिंबसमप्रभम् अद्यापि सदृशः कश्चिन् मया नास्ति विभुः क्वचित्

Transliteration

rathaś ca hemacchatraṃ ca candrabiṃbasamaprabham adyāpi sadṛśaḥ kaścin mayā nāsti vibhuḥ kvacit

Translation

“Ada sebuah rata, dan sebuah payung emas yang bersinar seperti cakera bulan; hingga hari ini pun, tiada kutemui di mana-mana seorang penguasa berkuasa yang setara denganku.”

Word by Word

• रथः: chariot

• च: and

• हेमच्छत्रम्: golden parasol

• च: and

• चन्द्रबिंब-सम-प्रभम्: having splendour equal to the moon’s disc

• अद्यापि: even today/now also

• सदृशः: equal, comparable

• कश्चित्: anyone

• मया: by me/to me (in my view)

• नास्ति: there is not

• विभुः: mighty lord, sovereign

• क्वचित्: anywhere

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating a quoted boast within the story; contextual speaker: a proud ruler/overlord)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It contrasts external emblems of power (chariot, golden parasol) with true sovereignty, implying that Linga-bhakti requires humility and turning from ego-based dominion toward Pati (Shiva).

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

By showing the speaker’s boast as limited and comparative, it indirectly points to Shiva-tattva as incomparable—Pati is not measured by worldly splendour but is the absolute Lord beyond all “equals.”

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The implied practice is ego-purification central to Pashupata discipline: reducing ahamkara (a pasha) so the pashu (soul) can become fit for Shiva-puja and inner surrender.