Shloka 10

अध्याय ९६: शरभ-प्रादुर्भावः, नृसिंह-दर्पशमनम्, विष्णोः शिवस्तुतिः, फलश्रुति

Devanagari script

नीलमेघाञ्जनाकारभीषणश्मश्रुरद्भुतः वादखण्डम् अखण्डाभ्यां भ्रामयंस्त्रिशिखं मुहुः

Transliteration

nīlameghāñjanākārabhīṣaṇaśmaśruradbhutaḥ vādakhaṇḍam akhaṇḍābhyāṃ bhrāmayaṃstriśikhaṃ muhuḥ

Translation

Kỳ diệu mà đáng sợ—thân Ngài như mây mưa xanh thẫm, râu tóc ghê gớm—Ngài xoay mãi cây tam xoa ba mũi; và với đôi tay không hề ngừng, Ngài vung khí cụ chiến trận như dội lên tiếng gầm của chiến tranh. Trong vẻ huy hoàng dữ dội ấy, Pati hiện ra là sức mạnh bất khả khuất, đập tan pāśa trói buộc paśu.

Word by Word

• nīla: blue

• megha: rain-cloud

• añjana-ākāra: collyrium-like dark hue/form

• bhīṣaṇa: terrifying

• śmaśru: beard

• adbhutaḥ: wondrous/astonishing

• vāda: sound/clamor (here: war-cry)

• khaṇḍam: a piece/weapon/implement (battle-implement)

• akhaṇḍābhyām: with the two unbroken (hands/arms), with firm unbroken grip

• bhrāmayan: whirling/causing to spin

• triśikham: three-pointed (trident)

• muhuḥ: again and again, repeatedly

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva as the sovereign Pati whose fierce, protective power destroys obstacles and bondage; in Linga worship, this supports meditating on the Linga as the formless source behind even Rudra’s formidable manifest form.

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

Shiva-tattva appears as both wondrous and terrifying—transcendent yet manifest—revealing the Lord’s capacity to subdue ignorance and sever pāśas, thereby freeing the paśu toward liberation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A contemplative upāsanā aligned with Pāśupata orientation: visualizing Mahadeva with triśūla and awe-inspiring splendor to cultivate vairāgya, dissolve fear-born bondage, and stabilize devotion during Linga-pūjā.