Shloka 23

अविद्या-पञ्चक, नवसर्ग-क्रमः, प्रजापति-प्रसवः

Vibhaga 1, Adhyaya 5

Devanagari script

श्रद्धाद्याश्चैव कीर्त्यन्तास् त्रयोदश सुदारिकाः धर्मं प्रजापतिं जग्मुः पतिं परमदुर्लभाः

Transliteration

śraddhādyāścaiva kīrtyantās trayodaśa sudārikāḥ dharmaṃ prajāpatiṃ jagmuḥ patiṃ paramadurlabhāḥ

Translation

自室罗陀起，至吉尔蒂止，十三位贤淑少女趋向法（Dharma）这位生主（Prajāpati），得其为至难得之主宰（Pati）。

Word by Word

• श्रद्धाद्याः: beginning with Śraddhā (Faith)

• च एव: and indeed

• कीर्त्यन्ताः: ending with Kīrti (Fame/Glory)

• त्रयोदश: thirteen

• सुदारिकाः: virtuous maidens/noble daughters

• धर्मम्: Dharma

• प्रजापतिम्: Prajāpati (progenitor/lord of creatures)

• जग्मुः: went/approached

• पतिम्: husband/lord (pati)

• परमदुर्लभाः: exceedingly difficult to obtain (supremely rare).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purva-Bhaga genealogy and virtue-cosmology to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Dharma
• Prajapati
• Shraddha
• Kirti

FAQs

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

It frames Dharma and foundational virtues (like Śraddhā) as prerequisites for approaching the true Pati; Linga-worship is meant to be grounded in dharmic faith and disciplined conduct, not mere external ritual.

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

By emphasizing “pati” as supremely rare, it echoes the Shaiva Siddhanta lens where the highest Pati is ultimately Lord Shiva—rarely attained without ripened virtues, grace, and release of pasha (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights inner sādhana: cultivating śraddhā (faith) and related virtues as the yogic foundation that makes Shiva-puja and Pashupata-oriented discipline fruitful.