Shloka 23

स्वेच्छाविग्रहसंभव-प्रतिष्ठाफलवर्णनम् (विविधशिवमूर्तिप्रतिष्ठा, लोक-फल, शिवसायुज्य)

Devanagari script

भृग्वाद्यैर्भूतसंघैश् च संवृतं परमेश्वरम् शैलजासहितं साक्षाद् वृषभध्वजमीश्वरम्

Transliteration

bhṛgvādyairbhūtasaṃghaiś ca saṃvṛtaṃ parameśvaram śailajāsahitaṃ sākṣād vṛṣabhadhvajamīśvaram

Translation

భృగువు మొదలైనవారి నేతృత్వంలోని భూతసంఘాలతో ఆవరించబడి, శైలజా (పార్వతి) సహితుడై, వృషభధ్వజుడైన పరమేశ్వరుడు—సాక్షాత్తుగా ప్రత్యక్షమైన శివుని వారు దర్శించారు।

Word by Word

• भृग्वाद्यैः: by Bhṛgu and others (the foremost sages)

• भूतसंघैः: by assemblies/hosts of bhūtas (Śiva’s attendant beings)

• च: and

• संवृतम्: surrounded, encompassed

• परमेश्वरम्: the Supreme Lord (Parameśvara)

• शैलजासहितम्: together with Śailajā, the Mountain-born Goddess (Pārvatī)

• साक्षात्: directly, manifestly, in person

• वृषभध्वजम्: whose emblem/banner is the bull (Nandin symbolism)

• ईश्वरम्: the Lord, the ruler (Īśvara)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati
• Bhṛgu
• Bhūta-gaṇas
• Nandin (implied by bull-emblem)

FAQs

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

The verse stresses sākṣāt-darśana—Śiva as Parameśvara made directly present, accompanied by Śakti and His gaṇas—supporting the Shaiva view that Linga-pūjā aims at realizing Pati (the Lord) as tangibly present to the devotee.

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

Śiva is named Parameśvara and Īśvara—supreme ruler and Pati—yet He is approachable: manifest “in person,” surrounded by sages and bhūta-hosts, indicating His sovereignty over all beings while remaining accessible through grace (anugraha).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

While no specific rite is prescribed, the verse highlights darśana and saṅga (holy proximity): approaching Śiva with reverence as Vrishabhadhvaja, contemplating His Shakti-sahita form—an orientation central to Pāśupata devotion and temple/Linga worship.