Shloka 87

वंशानुवर्णनम् — सात्वतवंशः, स्यमन्तक-प्रसङ्गः, कृष्णावतारः, शिवप्रसादः (पाशुपतयोगः)

Devanagari script

अष्टावक्रस्य शापेन भार्याः कृष्णस्य धीमतः चौरैश्चापहृताः सर्वास् तस्य मायाबलेन च

Transliteration

aṣṭāvakrasya śāpena bhāryāḥ kṛṣṇasya dhīmataḥ cauraiścāpahṛtāḥ sarvās tasya māyābalena ca

Translation

Pela maldição de Aṣṭāvakra, todas as esposas do sábio Kṛṣṇa foram levadas por ladrões, também pela força dessa māyā nascida da maldição.

Word by Word

• अष्टावक्रस्य: of Aṣṭāvakra

• शापेन: by the curse

• भार्याः: wives

• कृष्णस्य: of Kṛṣṇa

• धीमतः: of the intelligent/wise one

• चौरैः: by thieves

• च: and

• अपहृताः: abducted/carried away

• सर्वाः: all

• तस्य: of that/thereof

• मायाबलेन: by the power of māyā (illusion)

• च: also/and

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Aṣṭāvakra
• Kṛṣṇa
• Thieves (caura)

FAQs

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

It highlights māyā and curse-driven causality as forms of pāśa (bondage); Linga-worship is presented across the Purāṇa as a Shaiva means to turn the pashu (bound soul) toward Pati (Shiva), who alone grants freedom from such binding forces.

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

By implication, it contrasts worldly power and even divine status with the binding reach of māyā; Shiva-tattva is understood in Shaiva Siddhānta as the Pati who is not overpowered by māyā and who releases beings from pāśa through grace (anugraha).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific rite is stated in this line, but the theme supports Pāśupata-oriented practice: disciplining the mind against māyā and taking refuge in Shiva through japa, dhyāna, and Linga-pūjā to loosen karmic bonds.