Shloka 166

Devanagari script

दिव्यः क्व देवेश भवत्प्रभावो वयं क्व भक्तिः क्व च ते स्तुतिश् च तथापि भक्त्या विलपन्तमीश पितामहं मां भगवन्क्षमस्व

Transliteration

divyaḥ kva deveśa bhavatprabhāvo vayaṃ kva bhaktiḥ kva ca te stutiś ca tathāpi bhaktyā vilapantamīśa pitāmahaṃ māṃ bhagavankṣamasva

Translation

दिव्यः क्व देवेश तव प्रभावो वयं क्व; क्वास्माकं भक्तिः क्व च ते स्तुतिः। तथापि भक्त्या विलपन्तमीश पितामहं मां भगवन् क्षमस्व॥

Word by Word

• दिव्यः: divine, transcendent

• क्व: where (in comparison)

• देवेश: O Lord of the gods

• भवत्प्रभावः: Your power/majesty

• वयम्: we

• भक्तिः: devotion

• क्व च: and where

• ते: Your

• स्तुतिः: praise, hymn

• तथापि: nevertheless

• भक्त्या: with devotion

• विलपन्तम्: lamenting, beseeching

• ईश: O Lord, Īśa

• पितामहम्: the Grandfather (Brahmā)

• माम्: me

• भगवन्: O Bhagavan, Blessed Lord

• क्षमस्व: forgive (please pardon).

Speaker

Brahma (Pitamaha), within Suta's narration

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma

FAQs

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

It establishes the inner posture required for Linga-puja: humility and surrender, acknowledging that the Pati (Shiva) transcends all limited speech, while the devotee (pashu) approaches through bhakti and repentance.

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

Shiva is portrayed as divya and immeasurable—His prabhāva is beyond comparison and beyond adequate stuti—affirming the Siddhāntic view of Shiva as Pati, the supreme Lord whose greatness exceeds mind and word.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A core upāya is highlighted: kṣamā-prārthanā (seeking forgiveness) and bhakti-filled self-effacement, a foundational attitude supporting Pashupata-oriented discipline and sincere worship before mantra, abhiṣeka, and other rites.