Shloka 10

अध्याय ९६: शरभ-प्रादुर्भावः, नृसिंह-दर्पशमनम्, विष्णोः शिवस्तुतिः, फलश्रुति

Devanagari script

नीलमेघाञ्जनाकारभीषणश्मश्रुरद्भुतः वादखण्डम् अखण्डाभ्यां भ्रामयंस्त्रिशिखं मुहुः

Transliteration

nīlameghāñjanākārabhīṣaṇaśmaśruradbhutaḥ vādakhaṇḍam akhaṇḍābhyāṃ bhrāmayaṃstriśikhaṃ muhuḥ

Translation

नीलमेघाञ्जनाकारो भीषणश्मश्रुरद्भुतः, अखण्डाभ्यां भुजाभ्यां वादखण्डं भ्रामयन्, त्रिशिखं त्रिशूलं मुहुर्मुहुः परिभ्रामयामास; स पाशुपतिः पाशच्छेदकः अजेयशक्तिरिव बभौ।

Word by Word

• nīla: blue

• megha: rain-cloud

• añjana-ākāra: collyrium-like dark hue/form

• bhīṣaṇa: terrifying

• śmaśru: beard

• adbhutaḥ: wondrous/astonishing

• vāda: sound/clamor (here: war-cry)

• khaṇḍam: a piece/weapon/implement (battle-implement)

• akhaṇḍābhyām: with the two unbroken (hands/arms), with firm unbroken grip

• bhrāmayan: whirling/causing to spin

• triśikham: three-pointed (trident)

• muhuḥ: again and again, repeatedly

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva as the sovereign Pati whose fierce, protective power destroys obstacles and bondage; in Linga worship, this supports meditating on the Linga as the formless source behind even Rudra’s formidable manifest form.

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

Shiva-tattva appears as both wondrous and terrifying—transcendent yet manifest—revealing the Lord’s capacity to subdue ignorance and sever pāśas, thereby freeing the paśu toward liberation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A contemplative upāsanā aligned with Pāśupata orientation: visualizing Mahadeva with triśūla and awe-inspiring splendor to cultivate vairāgya, dissolve fear-born bondage, and stabilize devotion during Linga-pūjā.