Shloka 12

अग्नित्रय-पितृवंश-रुद्रसृष्टि-वैराग्योपदेशः

Devanagari script

आत्मनस्तु समान्सर्वान् सर्वलोकनमस्कृतान् याचितो मुनिशार्दूला ब्रह्मणा प्रहसन् क्षणात्

Transliteration

ātmanastu samānsarvān sarvalokanamaskṛtān yācito muniśārdūlā brahmaṇā prahasan kṣaṇāt

Translation

噫，诸位如虎之牟尼！当梵天（Brahmā）向他们祈请——那些为诸世界所礼敬、并被视为与其同等者——他们当即含笑片刻，以示允诺。

Word by Word

• ātmanas: of himself/for himself

• tu: indeed

• samān: equals

• sarvān: all (of them)

• sarva-loka-namaskṛtān: honored by the salutations of all worlds

• yācitaḥ: having been requested/entreated

• muni-śārdūlāḥ: O best of sages (tiger among munis)

• brahmaṇā: by Brahmā

• prahasan: smiling/laughing gently

• kṣaṇāt: instantly/in a moment

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana’s episode to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Sages (Munis/Rishis)

FAQs

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

It establishes that even Brahmā seeks the sanction of realized sages; Linga-pūjā and installation traditions are validated through rishi-authority before becoming accepted across the worlds.

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

Indirectly, it frames cosmic order: Brahmā (a bound administrator within māyā) consults sages who are closer to Pati-tattva (the Lord). This hierarchy supports Shaiva Siddhanta’s view that liberation and right worship depend on higher knowledge and grace, not mere cosmic power.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights the principle of adhikāra (qualified authority) and rishi-sanction—key to Pūjā-vidhi and to Pāśupata discipline, where practices proceed under guidance of those established in Śiva-knowledge.