Shloka 21

ब्रह्मकृत-ईशानस्तवः तथा विश्वरूपदेवी-प्रकृतिरहस्योपदेशः

Devanagari script

चतुःशृङ्गी चतुर्वक्त्रा चतुर्दंष्ट्रा चतुःस्तनी चतुर्हस्ता चतुर्नेत्रा विश्वरूपा कथं स्मृता

Transliteration

catuḥśṛṅgī caturvaktrā caturdaṃṣṭrā catuḥstanī caturhastā caturnetrā viśvarūpā kathaṃ smṛtā

Translation

ఆమె నాలుగు కొమ్ములు, నాలుగు ముఖాలు, నాలుగు దంష్ట్రలు, నాలుగు స్తనాలు, నాలుగు చేతులు, నాలుగు కళ్లతో—ఇలా ‘విశ్వరూపా’ శక్తిగా ఆమెను ఎలా స్మరిస్తారు?

Word by Word

• चतुःशृङ्गी: four-horned

• चतुर्वक्त्रा: four-faced

• चतुर्दंष्ट्रा: having four fangs/tusks

• चतुःस्तनी: four-breasted

• चतुर्हस्ता: four-handed

• चतुर्नेत्रा: four-eyed

• विश्वरूपा: all-formed, universal in form

• कथं: how

• स्मृता: remembered/known (in tradition)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purva-Bhaga to the sages; verse framed as a traditional query within the narrative)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shakti
• Devi

FAQs

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

It points to Śakti as the manifest, many-formed power inseparable from Pati (Śiva); Linga-worship is completed by recognizing this dynamic power through which creation and grace operate.

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

By describing Viśvarūpā Śakti, it implies Śiva-tattva as the transcendent Pati whose immanent potency appears with countless forms and powers—yet remains one reality with Him.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A contemplative upāsanā: dhyāna on the deity’s viśvarūpa (multi-limbed iconography) as a support for focusing the mind in Śaiva worship and Pāśupata-oriented meditation.