Shloka 6

Adhyaya 34: भस्ममहात्म्यं—अग्नीषोमात्मक-शिवतत्त्वं तथा पाशुपतव्रतप्रशंसा

Devanagari script

ऊष्मपाः पितरो ज्ञेया देवा वै सोमसंभवाः अग्नीषोमात्मकं सर्वं जगत्स्थावरजङ्गमम्

Transliteration

ūṣmapāḥ pitaro jñeyā devā vai somasaṃbhavāḥ agnīṣomātmakaṃ sarvaṃ jagatsthāvarajaṅgamam

Translation

ऊष्मपाः पितरो ज्ञेया देवा वै सोमसंभवाः। अग्नीषोमात्मकं सर्वं जगत्स्थावरजङ्गमम्॥

Word by Word

• ऊष्मपाः (ūṣmapāḥ): drinkers of warmth/vapour, those sustained by subtle heat

• पितरः (pitaraḥ): ancestors, Pitṛ-deities

• ज्ञेयाः (jñeyāḥ): to be known/understood

• देवाः (devāḥ): gods, luminous deities

• वै (vai): indeed

• सोमसंभवाः (somasaṃbhavāḥ): born of Soma, arising from lunar/nectar principle

• अग्नीषोमात्मकम् (agnīṣomātmakam): of the essence of Agni and Soma

• सर्वम् (sarvam): all

• जगत् (jagat): the world/universe

• स्थावरजङ्गमम् (sthāvarajaṅgamam): immovable and moving beings

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Linga Purana teaching to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Pitrs
• Devas
• Agni
• Soma

FAQs

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

It frames the cosmos as Agni–Soma in essence—fire (transformation) and soma (nourishing nectar). In Linga worship, offerings into fire and libations symbolize aligning the pashu (soul) with this cosmic order, turning ritual into inner purification under Pati (Shiva).

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

While speaking of Agni–Soma as the world’s fabric, the Shaiva reading places Shiva as Pati—the transcendent ground in which such dual principles operate. Agni and Soma become functional powers within creation, not the ultimate; Shiva-tattva is the lordship that integrates and surpasses them.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It points to Vedic yajña logic—Agni as the carrier of offerings and Soma as the sacrificial essence—mirrored yogically as inner heat (agni) and inner nectar/calm (soma). This supports Pashupata-oriented discipline: purifying pasha (bondage) through regulated tapas and meditative rasa.