Shloka 10

Adhyaya 44: Nandikesvara’s Manifestation and Abhisheka; The Rule of Namaskara in Shiva-Nama

Devanagari script

भगवन्देवदेवेश त्रियंबक वृषध्वज किमर्थं च स्मृता देव आज्ञापय महाद्युते

Transliteration

bhagavandevadeveśa triyaṃbaka vṛṣadhvaja kimarthaṃ ca smṛtā deva ājñāpaya mahādyute

Translation

भगवन् देवदेवेश त्र्यम्बक वृषध्वज । किमर्थं च स्मृता देव आज्ञापय महाद्युते ॥

Word by Word

• भगवन्: O Blessed Lord

• देवदेवेश: Lord of the lords of the gods

• त्र्यम्बक: Three-eyed (Shiva)

• वृषध्वज: He whose emblem/banner is the bull

• किमर्थम्: for what purpose?

• च: and/indeed

• स्मृताः: remembered/called to mind (summoned)

• देव: O Deva

• आज्ञापय: command (imperative)

• महाद्युते: O greatly radiant/splendid One

Speaker

Devas (addressing Lord Shiva within Suta’s narration)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Devas

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva as Devadeveśa (Pati), the supreme authority whom even the Devas serve—establishing that all ritual and Linga-upāsanā ultimately proceeds by Shiva’s ājñā (command) and grace.

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

Through epithets like Tryambaka and Vṛṣadhvaja, Shiva is presented as the all-seeing, sovereign Pati—radiant, transcendent, and yet directly approachable as the Lord who issues guidance to his dependents.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The key takeaway is śaraṇāgati and ājñā-pālana—disciplined obedience to the Lord’s command, which aligns with Pāśupata orientation where the pashu moves toward freedom by submitting to Pati’s will.