Shloka 38

एकार्णव-सृष्टिक्रमः, ब्रह्म-विष्णु-परस्परप्रवेशः, शिवस्य आगमनं च

Devanagari script

एतन्मे संशयं ब्रूहि किं वा त्वन्यच्चिकीर्षसि एतदेवंविधं वाक्यं पितामहमुखोद्गतम्

Transliteration

etanme saṃśayaṃ brūhi kiṃ vā tvanyaccikīrṣasi etadevaṃvidhaṃ vākyaṃ pitāmahamukhodgatam

Translation

एतन्मे संशयं ब्रूहि किं वा त्वन्यच्चिकीर्षसि। एतदेवंविधं वाक्यं पितामहमुखोद्गतम्॥

Word by Word

• etat: this

• me: of me/mine

• saṃśayam: doubt

• brūhi: tell (me), explain

• kim vā: or what/what indeed

• tvam: you

• anyat: something else

• cikīrṣasi: you wish to do/intend to accomplish

• etat: this

• evaṃ-vidham: of this kind/such

• vākyam: statement/utterance

• pitāmaha: the Grandsire (Brahmā)

• mukha-udgatam: arisen/uttered from (his) mouth

Speaker

Suta (narrating an internal dialogue; the immediate speaker is a respondent addressing another figure about Brahma’s words)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma

FAQs

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

It frames a crucial moment of inquiry—establishing that when Brahmā (Pitāmaha) speaks about the divine purpose, the listener must seek clarity before proceeding, a key attitude in Linga-upāsanā: śraddhā guided by right understanding.

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

Indirectly, it points to Shiva-tattva as the ultimate ground that even Brahmā’s authoritative speech concerns; the verse emphasizes resolving doubt (saṃśaya) so the Pashu (soul) can align with Pati’s intent rather than act under Pāśa (bondage) of confusion.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The practice highlighted is not a specific rite but the yogic discipline of inquiry (vicāra) and clarification from a reliable source—an essential prerequisite for Pāśupata-oriented sādhana and correct Linga-pūjā.