Shloka 55

Devanagari script

को भवान् अष्टमूर्तिर् वै स्थित एकादशात्मकः इन्द्र उवाच तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा व्याजहार महेश्वरः

Transliteration

ko bhavān aṣṭamūrtir vai sthita ekādaśātmakaḥ indra uvāca tasya tadvacanaṃ śrutvā vyājahāra maheśvaraḥ

Translation

इन्द्र उवाच—को भवान् अष्टमूर्तिर्वै, स्थित एकादशात्मकः? तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा व्याजहार महेश्वरः॥

Word by Word

• कः (kaḥ): who

• भवान् (bhavān): you (venerable one)

• अष्टमूर्तिः (aṣṭamūrtiḥ): the Eight-Formed Lord (Shiva as the eight cosmic embodiments)

• वै (vai): indeed

• स्थितः (sthitaḥ): established/abiding

• एकादशात्मकः (ekādaśātmakaḥ): having eleven aspects (the eleven Rudras)

• इन्द्रः उवाच (indraḥ uvāca): Indra said

• तस्य (tasya): of him

• तत्-वचनम् (tad-vacanam): those words/speech

• श्रुत्वा (śrutvā): having heard

• व्याजहार (vyājahāra): spoke/replied

• महेश्वरः (maheśvaraḥ): the Great Lord (Shiva as Pati)

Speaker

Indra (followed by Maheśvara’s impending reply)

Characters & Entities

• Indra
• Shiva
• Maheśvara
• Rudras

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva as the all-pervading Pati behind cosmic functions (the Eight Forms and the Eleven Rudras), guiding the devotee to worship the Linga not as a mere emblem but as the totality of manifested and transcendent Shiva.

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

Shiva is indicated as simultaneously aṣṭamūrti (cosmic immanence) and ekādaśātmaka (multiplicity of Rudra powers), yet as Maheśvara He remains the singular Lord who governs and exceeds all forms—Pati beyond pasha and pashu.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse supports dhyāna (contemplation) on Shiva’s aṣṭamūrti and ekādaśa-rudra aspects—an inner Pāśupata-oriented practice where the seeker sees all elements and powers as Shiva while aiming for release from pāśa (bondage).