Shloka 156

वासिष्ठकथनम् (आदित्य–सोमवंशवर्णनम् तथा रुद्रसहस्रनाम-प्रशंसा)

Devanagari script

पवित्रं त्रिमधुर्मन्त्रः कनिष्ठः कृष्णपिङ्गलः ब्रह्मदण्डविनिर्माता शतघ्नः शतपाशधृक्

Transliteration

pavitraṃ trimadhurmantraḥ kaniṣṭhaḥ kṛṣṇapiṅgalaḥ brahmadaṇḍavinirmātā śataghnaḥ śatapāśadhṛk

Translation

وہ نہایت پاکیزہ، تری-مدھُر منتر کے سَروپ ہیں۔ وہ ‘کنِشٹھ’ اور سیاہ مائل سنہری رنگ والے؛ برہما کے دَण्ड کے سازندہ، سو دشمنوں کے ہننے والے، اور سو پاش رکھنے والے ہیں—جو پشو کو پاش سے باندھتے بھی ہیں اور پتی ہو کر بندھن سے رہائی بھی عطا کرتے ہیں۔

Word by Word

• पवित्रम्: the purifier, supremely holy

• त्रिमधुः: threefold-sweet (triple nectar-like)

• मन्त्रः: mantra, sacred formula/embodied sacred sound

• कनिष्ठः: the youngest, the most subtle/innermost

• कृष्णपिङ्गलः: dark and tawny-hued, of dusky-golden complexion

• ब्रह्मदण्डविनिर्माता: maker of Brahmā’s daṇḍa (rod of discipline/authority)

• शतघ्नः: slayer of a hundred, destroyer of many enemies/obstacles

• शतपाशधृक्: bearer of a hundred nooses/bonds (pāśas)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Sahasranama to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva as Pavitra (the purifier) and Mantra (embodied sacred sound), indicating that Linga-puja is fundamentally a mantra-centered purification where the devotee (pashu) approaches Pati for cleansing and upliftment.

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

It presents Shiva as Pati who governs both discipline and grace: He bears pāśa (bonds) to regulate embodied souls and also destroys obstacles, implying sovereign mastery over bondage and liberation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Mantra-japa and inner purification are implied: Shiva is called “Mantra” and “Purifier,” aligning with Pashupata-oriented practice where disciplined conduct (daṇḍa) and mantra lead the pashu toward release from pāśa.