Shloka 9

शिवार्चनविधिः — देवतानां पाशुपतव्रतप्राप्तिः तथा पशुपाशविमोक्षणम् (अध्याय ८०)

Devanagari script

देस्च्रिप्तिओन् ओफ़् शिवस् चित्य् ओन् म्त्। मेरु गिरेः पृष्ठे परं शार्वं कल्पितं विश्वकर्मणा क्रीडार्थं देवदेवस्य भवस्य परमेष्ठिनः

Transliteration

description of Śivas city on Mt. Meru gireḥ pṛṣṭhe paraṃ śārvaṃ kalpitaṃ viśvakarmaṇā krīḍārthaṃ devadevasya bhavasya parameṣṭhinaḥ

Translation

మేరుగిరి పృష్ఠభాగంపై విశ్వకర్మ పరమ శార్వపురాన్ని నిర్మించాడు—దేవదేవుడు, పరమేష్ఠి భవస్వరూప శివుని క్రీడార్థంగా.

Word by Word

• meru-gireḥ: of Mount Meru

• pṛṣṭhe: on the back/slope

• param: supreme

• śārvaṃ: belonging to Śarva (Śiva), Śaiva

• kalpitam: constructed/imagined and brought into form

• viśvakarmaṇā: by Viśvakarman (the divine architect)

• krīḍārtham: for sport, for divine play (līlā)

• devadevasya: of the God of gods

• bhavasya: of Bhava (Śiva)

• parameṣṭhinaḥ: of the Highest Lord, the Supreme Ruler

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Vishvakarman
• Mount Meru

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva’s supreme abode as intentionally manifested for his līlā, reminding the devotee that the Linga is not merely a symbol but a living seat of Pati—worthy of reverent installation and worship as the Lord’s chosen presence.

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

Shiva is presented as Devadeva and Parameṣṭhin—supreme over all gods—indicating Pati-tattva: the transcendent Lord who can still freely manifest a divine realm without being bound by it.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse supports the Pāśupata insight of līlā-darśana—contemplating the cosmos as Shiva’s divine play—strengthening devotion (bhakti) and loosening pāśa (bondage) for the paśu (individual soul).