Shloka 3

शिवार्चनविधिः — देवतानां पाशुपतव्रतप्राप्तिः तथा पशुपाशविमोक्षणम् (अध्याय ८०)

Devanagari script

हिताय सर्वदेवानां ब्रह्मणा च जनार्दनः गरुडस्य तथा स्कन्धम् आरुह्य पुरुषोत्तमः

Transliteration

hitāya sarvadevānāṃ brahmaṇā ca janārdanaḥ garuḍasya tathā skandham āruhya puruṣottamaḥ

Translation

Para sa kapakanan ng lahat ng deva, si Janārdana, kasama si Brahmā, ay sumakay sa likod ni Garuḍa; kaya’t ang Puruṣottama, ang Kataas-taasang Persona, ay lumisan upang tuparin ang banal na layon. Sa pananaw na Śaiva ng Liṅga Purāṇa, maging ang mga dakilang diyos ay kumikilos sa kaayusang kosmiko na itinataguyod ni Pati (Śiva), para sa pag-iingat at pagpapanumbalik ng dharma.

Word by Word

• हिताय: for the welfare

• सर्वदेवानाम्: of all the gods

• ब्रह्मणा: with Brahmā / by Brahmā

• च: and

• जनार्दनः: Janārdana (Viṣṇu)

• गरुडस्य: of Garuḍa

• तथा: likewise / indeed

• स्कन्धम्: shoulder, back (upper back)

• आरुह्य: having mounted, having ascended

• पुरुषोत्तमः: the Supreme Person

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya; contextual)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Brahma
• Garuda

FAQs

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

It frames deva-activity as “hita” (welfare) work within a higher cosmic governance; in the Linga Purana’s Shaiva lens, such missions ultimately support the establishment of Shiva’s dharma and the conditions for Linga-upasana that loosens pasha (bondage) for the pashu (soul).

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

Shiva-tattva is implied as the supreme regulating principle (Pati) under which even Brahma and Vishnu undertake protective actions; their movement for loka-sangraha reflects the ordered unfolding of grace and restraint that belongs to the Lord beyond the deva-level.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific puja-vidhi is stated; the takeaway is the dharmic intent behind divine action—an ethical foundation for Pashupata orientation where the seeker aligns will and conduct to Pati’s order before engaging in Linga-puja and inner yoga.