Shloka 13

श्वेतमुनिना कालस्य निग्रहः (मृत्युञ्जय-भक्ति-प्रसादः)

Devanagari script

अतीव भवभक्तानां मद्विधानां महात्मनाम् विधिना किं महाबाहो गच्छ गच्छ यथागतम्

Transliteration

atīva bhavabhaktānāṃ madvidhānāṃ mahātmanām vidhinā kiṃ mahābāho gaccha gaccha yathāgatam

Translation

హే మహాబాహో, భవుడు (శివుడు) భక్తులైన, నా స్వరూపమే అయిన మహాత్ములకు విధి‑విధానములెందుకు? వెళ్ళు, వెళ్ళు—ఎలా వచ్చావో అలా తిరిగి వెళ్ళు।

Word by Word

• अतीव: exceedingly

• भवभक्तानाम् (भव-भक्तानाम्): of the devotees of Bhava (Śiva)

• मद्विधानाम् (मत्-विद्यानाम्/मद्-विद्यानाम्): of those like Me, of My own kind/nature

• महात्मनाम्: of the great-souled ones

• विधिना: by rule, by prescribed ritual procedure (vidhi)

• किम्: what (need)?

• महाबाहो: O mighty-armed one

• गच्छ गच्छ: go, go

• यथागतम्: as you came, in the same manner (returning).

Speaker

Shiva (Bhava), within Suta’s narration to the sages

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Bhava)

FAQs

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

It prioritizes Śiva-bhakti and the devotee’s inner alignment with Pati (Śiva) over rigid ritual formality (vidhi), implying that sincere devotion itself becomes the true “pūjā” of the Liṅga.

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

Śiva is portrayed as the gracious Pati who responds directly to bhakti and recognizes devotees “of His own nature,” emphasizing anugraha (divine grace) as central to Shiva-tattva.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse deemphasizes external vidhi and points toward the Pāśupata orientation of inner devotion and surrender—where the pashu (soul) moves toward liberation through Śiva’s grace rather than procedure alone.