Shloka 80

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

Devanagari script

द्विशिखस् त्रिशिखश्चैव तथा पञ्चशिखो द्विजाः मुण्डो ऽर्धमुण्डो दीर्घश् च पिशाचास्यः पिनाकधृक्

Transliteration

dviśikhas triśikhaścaiva tathā pañcaśikho dvijāḥ muṇḍo 'rdhamuṇḍo dīrghaś ca piśācāsyaḥ pinākadhṛk

Translation

హే ద్విజులారా! ఆయన ద్విశిఖుడు, త్రిశిఖుడు, పంచశిఖుడని ప్రసిద్ధుడు; ముండుడు, అర్ధముండుడు, దీర్ఘదేహుడు; పిశాచసదృశ ముఖముగలవాడు, పినాకధనుస్సు ధరించినవాడు—ఇలా పతి భగవాన్ శివుడు ఈ నామాలతో కీర్తింపబడును।

Word by Word

• द्विशिखः: two-crested/two-tufted

• त्रिशिखः: three-crested/three-tufted

• च एव: and indeed

• तथा: likewise

• पञ्चशिखः: five-crested/five-tufted

• द्विजाः: O twice-born (Brāhmaṇas)

• मुण्डः: shaven-headed/bald

• अर्धमुण्डः: half-shaven

• दीर्घः: tall/long-bodied

• च: and

• पिशाचास्यः: having a piśāca-like (fearsome) face

• पिनाकधृक्: bearer of the Pināka (Śiva’s bow)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya; internal context suggests a names/epithets passage about Shiva)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse functions as a Sahasranāma-style identification of Mahādeva: by reciting and contemplating these epithets, the worshipper fixes the mind on Pati (Śiva) beyond mere external form, which is central to Liṅga-upāsanā.

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

Śiva-tattva is shown as paradoxical and all-inclusive: He is the supreme Pati who can appear with austere ascetic marks (shaven/half-shaven) and even a fearsome visage, indicating His transcendence of social and sensory categories while remaining the Lord of all beings.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights nāma-japa and dhyāna on Śiva’s epithets—an inner practice aligned with Pāśupata orientation—where outer descriptions point to inner vairāgya (renunciation) and mastery over pasha (bondage).