Shloka 20

Adhyaya 22 — शिवानुग्रहः, ब्रह्मतपः, एकादशरुद्राः तथा प्राणतत्त्वम्

Devanagari script

प्रकीर्णकेशाः सर्पास्ते प्रादुर्भूता महाविषाः सर्पांस्तानग्रजान्दृष्ट्वा ब्रह्मात्मानम् अनिन्दयत्

Transliteration

prakīrṇakeśāḥ sarpāste prādurbhūtā mahāviṣāḥ sarpāṃstānagrajāndṛṣṭvā brahmātmānam anindayat

Translation

ఆ సర్పాలు చెదరిన కేశాలతో, మహావిషధరులై ప్రత్యక్షమయ్యాయి. ఆ అగ్రజ సర్పాలను చూచి కూడా బ్రహ్మా తన ఆత్మస్వరూపంలో స్థిరుడై, తనను తాను నిందించలేదు.

Word by Word

• प्रकीर्णकेशाः: with dishevelled/scattered hair

• सर्पाः: serpents

• ते: those

• प्रादुर्भूताः: manifested/appeared

• महाविषाः: of great venom

• सर्पान्: the serpents

• तान्: those

• अग्रजान्: elder-born/first-produced

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen

• ब्रह्मा: Brahmā

• आत्मानम्: himself/one’s own self

• अनिन्दयत्: did not blame/did not censure

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purva-Bhaga creation sequence to the sages, with Brahmā as the acting figure in the episode)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Sarpa (serpents)

FAQs

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

It frames creation—even terrifying forms like highly venomous serpents—as an ordered manifestation under the higher sovereignty of Pati (Śiva). In Linga-oriented devotion, this supports seeing all arising forms as contained within Mahādeva’s cosmic governance rather than as causes for fear or blame.

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

Though Śiva is not named, the verse implies a Shaiva metaphysic: Brahmā’s composure points to the presence of an unshaken ground of being beyond changing creations. In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, Pashu (the individual) is steadied when aligned to Pati, who remains untouched by the manifested world and its poisons.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A key yogic takeaway is steadiness and non-reactivity (inner self-abidance) in the face of frightening manifestations—an attitude consonant with Pāśupata discipline, where the pashu loosens pasha (bondage) by cultivating detachment and firm recollection of the Lord.