Shloka 88

Adhyaya 63: Daksha’s Progeny, Kashyapa’s Offspring, and the Rishi-Vamshas that Sustain the Worlds

Devanagari script

नीलो बादरिकश्चैव सर्वे चैते पराशराः पराशराणामष्टौ ते पक्षाः प्रोक्ता महात्मनाम्

Transliteration

nīlo bādarikaścaiva sarve caite parāśarāḥ parāśarāṇāmaṣṭau te pakṣāḥ proktā mahātmanām

Translation

نیل اور بادَرِک—یہ سب ‘پراشر’ کہلاتے ہیں۔ یوں مہاتما پراشروں کی آٹھ شاخیں (پکش) بیان کی گئیں۔

Word by Word

• nīlaḥ: Nīla (a sage/lineage name)

• bādarikaḥ: Bādarika (a sage/lineage name)

• ca eva: and indeed

• sarve: all

• ca ete: and these

• parāśarāḥ: Parāśaras (those belonging to Parāśara’s tradition)

• parāśarāṇām: of the Parāśaras

• aṣṭau: eight

• te: those/they

• pakṣāḥ: branches, divisions, schools

• proktāḥ: have been stated/declared

• mahātmanām: of the great-souled (sages).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Parāśara
• Nīla
• Bādarika

FAQs

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

It establishes the authoritative rishi-lineage (Parāśara branches) through which Shaiva teachings—such as Linga installation, mantra, and vrata—are preserved and transmitted, grounding worship in a recognized paramparā.

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

Indirectly: by emphasizing mahātman sages and their branches, it points to Shiva-tattva as a revealed and carefully handed-down doctrine—Pati (Shiva) known through śāstra and guru-paramparā, guiding the pashu toward liberation from pāśa.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No single rite is specified; the verse highlights the framework of tradition (pakṣas/branches) that safeguards Pāśupata-oriented Shaiva disciplines—pujā-vidhi, dīkṣā, and yogic observances—within an authenticated lineage.