Shloka 62

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

Devanagari script

सेवां चक्रे पुरं हन्तुं देवदेवं त्रियंबकम् महाकालो महातेजा महादेव इवापरः

Transliteration

sevāṃ cakre puraṃ hantuṃ devadevaṃ triyaṃbakam mahākālo mahātejā mahādeva ivāparaḥ

Translation

सेवां चक्रे पुरं हन्तुं देवदेवं त्र्यंबकम् । महाकालो महातेजा महादेव इवापरः ॥

Word by Word

• sevām: service, devoted attendance

• cakre: performed, undertook

• puram: the city/fortress (Tripura)

• hantum: to destroy

• devadevam: the God of gods

• tryambakam: the Three-eyed Lord (Shiva)

• mahākālaḥ: Mahākāla (the Great Time, a fierce form/attendant of Shiva)

• mahā-tejāḥ: of great radiance, mighty in spiritual power

• mahādevaḥ: Mahādeva (the Supreme Lord Shiva)

• iva: like, as if

• aparaḥ: another, a second

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Mahakala
• Tryambaka

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva (Tryambaka) as Devadeva—the supreme Pati—before whom even mighty divine powers like Mahākāla take the posture of seva; Linga-worship likewise centers on humble service and surrender to the Lord beyond all devas.

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

Shiva is presented as Devadeva and Tryambaka, the sovereign cause who commands dissolution; Mahākāla’s brilliance appearing “like another Mahādeva” highlights that all terrifying or time-governing powers are derivatives (śakti/gaṇa-functions) operating under Shiva as the supreme Pati.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Sevā—devotional service and disciplined attendance on Shiva—is implied as the core practice: a Shaiva-sādhana aligned with Pāśupata orientation where the pashu (soul) loosens pasha (bondage) through reverent service to Pati.