Shloka 28

Adhyaya 72 — Puradāha: Rudra’s Cosmic Chariot, Pāśupata-Vrata, and Brahmā’s Shiva-Stuti

Devanagari script

शिव मोउन्त्स् थे छरिओत् ऋषिभिः स्तूयमानश् च वन्द्यमानश् च बन्दिभिः उपनृत्तश्चाप्सरसां गणैर्नृत्यविशारदैः

Transliteration

Śiva mounts the chariot ṛṣibhiḥ stūyamānaś ca vandyamānaś ca bandibhiḥ upanṛttaścāpsarasāṃ gaṇairnṛtyaviśāradaiḥ

Translation

शिवो रथं समारूढः ऋषिभिः स्तूयमानश्च वन्द्यमानश्च बन्दिभिः। उपनृत्तश्चाप्सरसां गणैर्नृत्यविशारदैः॥

Word by Word

• Śivaḥ: Lord Śiva (Pati, the Supreme Lord)

• ratham: chariot

• āruroha (āruroha): mounted/ascended

• ṛṣibhiḥ: by the seers

• stūyamānaḥ: being praised

• ca: and

• vandyamānaḥ: being saluted/revered

• bandibhiḥ: by bards/panegyrists

• upanṛttaḥ: danced/performed in attendance (around)

• apsarasām: of the apsarases (celestial nymphs)

• gaṇaiḥ: by groups/hosts

• nṛtya-viśāradaiḥ: expert in dance.

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Rishis
• Apsarases
• Bandis (bards)

FAQs

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

It highlights stuti (praise) and vandana (reverent salutation) as core limbs of Śaiva devotion—modes by which the pashu (soul) turns toward Pati (Śiva), preparing the mind for Linga-upāsanā and inner consecration.

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

Śiva is shown as the sovereign Pati—naturally worthy of praise and worship by ṛṣis and celestial beings—indicating His transcendence and lordship that draws all orders of existence into harmonious acknowledgement.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse foregrounds stotra and vandana (devotional recitation and salutations), which function as bhakti-aṅgas that steady attention, purify citta, and support Pāśupata-oriented contemplation of Śiva.