Shloka 67

उमास्वयंवरः / भवोद्वाहः, गणसमागमः, अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्यम्, तथा विनायक-उत्पत्तिसूचना

Devanagari script

यः पठेच्छृणुयाद्वापि भवोद्वाहं शुचिस्मितः श्रावयेद्वा द्विजाञ्छुद्धान् वेदवेदाङ्गपारगान्

Transliteration

yaḥ paṭhecchṛṇuyādvāpi bhavodvāhaṃ śucismitaḥ śrāvayedvā dvijāñchuddhān vedavedāṅgapāragān

Translation

凡以清净之心、含柔和微笑而诵读，或仅聆听婆婆（薄伽，湿婆）之圣仪《婆婆婚仪》（Bhavodvāha）之记述者；或令其为已净化、通达吠陀及诸支分之二生婆罗门宣诵者——皆得净化之功德，由湿婆恩典引导系缚之兽灵（paśu）趋向主宰（Pati）。

Word by Word

• यः (yaḥ): whoever

• पठेत् (paṭhet): should recite

• शृणुयात् (śṛṇuyāt): should hear/listen

• वा अपि (vā api): or even

• भवोद्वाहम् (bhavodvāham): the narrative/rite called ‘Bhava-udvāha’ (Bhava’s sacred wedding/ceremonial account)

• शुचिस्मितः (śuci-smitaḥ): with a pure, serene smile (in a purified disposition)

• श्रावयेत् (śrāvayet): should cause to be recited/read aloud

• वा (vā): or

• द्विजान् (dvijān): the twice-born (Brahmins)

• शुद्धान् (śuddhān): purified

• वेदवेदाङ्गपारगान् (veda-vedāṅga-pāragān): those proficient in the Vedas and Vedāṅgas (auxiliary disciplines).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Bhava)

FAQs

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

It teaches that śravaṇa (hearing) and pāṭha (recitation) of Śaiva sacred narratives—here, Bhava’s rite—are themselves purifying acts that support devotion to Pati (Śiva), which is central to Linga-oriented worship.

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

By naming Śiva as “Bhava” and presenting His sacred account as intrinsically sanctifying, the verse implies that contact with Śiva-tattva through sound (śabda) and remembrance loosens pāśa (bondage) for the paśu (individual soul) by grace.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights devotional discipline through śravaṇa and pāṭha, and the meritorious act of sponsoring recitation for Veda-versed, purified dvijas—an ancillary Śaiva practice supportive of pūjā and inner purification.