Shloka 4

मदनदाहः — पार्वतीतपः, स्वयंवरलीला, देवस्तम्भनं, दिव्यचक्षुर्दानम्

Devanagari script

प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य च तां देवीं स जगतो ऽरणीम् किम् अर्थं तपसा लोकान् संतापयसि शैलजे

Transliteration

pradakṣiṇīkṛtya ca tāṃ devīṃ sa jagato 'raṇīm kim arthaṃ tapasā lokān saṃtāpayasi śailaje

Translation

तां देवीं जगतोऽरणीं प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य स उवाच— “किमर्थं तपसा लोकान् संतापयसि शैलजे?”

Word by Word

• प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य: having circumambulated (in reverence)

• च: and

• ताम्: that

• देवीं: Goddess

• सः: he

• जगतः: of the universe/worlds

• अरणीम्: the arani (fire-churning stick

• किम् अर्थम्: for what purpose

• तपसा: by austerity/penance

• लोकान्: the worlds/realms

• संतापयसि: you cause to burn/afflict/scorch

• शैलजे: O mountain-born one (Parvati).

Speaker

An unnamed male interlocutor (likely a Deva or sage within Suta’s narration) addressing Parvati (Shailaja)

Characters & Entities

• Parvati
• Devi
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Devi as the cosmic source-power (jagad-araṇi) whose tapas can generate transformative ‘fire’; in Linga worship, this underscores that Shakti empowers the manifesting and sanctifying force through which the Pati (Shiva) is approached.

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

By addressing Devi’s world-affecting tapas, the verse implies the Shaiva Siddhanta triad: the pashu (souls/worlds) are impacted by energies, while the Pati (Shiva) is the supreme regulator; Shakti’s power operates within His cosmic order rather than as random heat.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Tapas (austerity generating spiritual heat) is highlighted—its intensity can ‘scorch’ the lokas, so Shaiva practice emphasizes disciplined, purpose-driven tapas aligned to dharma and ultimately to liberation of the pashu from pasha under the grace of Pati.