Shloka 3

Adhyaya 87 — Saṃsāra-viṣa-kathana: Ājñā-śakti, Māyā-bandha, and Mokṣa by Prasāda

Devanagari script

सूत उवाच एवमुक्तः प्रहस्येशः पिनाकी नीललोहितः प्राह ताम् अंबिकां प्रेक्ष्य प्रणिपत्य स्थितान् द्विजान्

Transliteration

sūta uvāca evamuktaḥ prahasyeśaḥ pinākī nīlalohitaḥ prāha tām aṃbikāṃ prekṣya praṇipatya sthitān dvijān

Translation

Sūta nói: Được thưa như vậy, Đấng Chúa Tể—mỉm cười—Pinākin, bậc mang sắc xanh pha đỏ, nhìn về Ambikā; rồi cúi đầu đảnh lễ các bậc Bà-la-môn hiền triết đang đứng đó trong lòng tôn kính, và Ngài cất lời.

Word by Word

• sūta uvāca: Sūta said

• evam-uktaḥ: thus spoken to/thus addressed

• prahasya: smiling, with gentle laughter

• īśaḥ: the Lord (Pati, Shiva)

• pinākī: bearer of the bow Pināka

• nīla-lohitaḥ: blue and ruddy-hued (a Shaiva epithet)

• prāha: said/spoke

• tām: to her/that (Ambikā)

• aṃbikām: Ambikā (Shakti/Parvati)

• prekṣya: having looked at/considered

• praṇipatya: having bowed down

• sthitān: standing, present

• dvijān: the twice-born (Brahmin sages).

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Ambika (Parvati)
• Brahmin sages (Dvijas)

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva’s teaching atmosphere: the Lord (Pati) is approached with reverence, and He honors the dvijas—highlighting that Linga-puja is grounded in humility, proper conduct, and sanctified assembly before instruction or rite.

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

Shiva appears as the gracious Pati: serene and smiling, yet sovereign (Īśa), inseparable from Shakti (Ambikā), and simultaneously worthy of worship while also honoring the sacred order—revealing His compassionate governance over pashus through dharma.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The immediate practice is praṇipāta (prostration) and respectful presence in satsanga—foundational disciplines that support Shaiva sadhana, preparing the pashu (soul) for Shiva’s instruction and grace.