Shloka 4

अग्नित्रय-पितृवंश-रुद्रसृष्टि-वैराग्योपदेशः

Devanagari script

सर्वे तपस्विनस्त्वेते सर्वे व्रतभृतः स्मृताः प्रजानां पतयः सर्वे सर्वे रुद्रात्मकाः स्मृताः

Transliteration

sarve tapasvinastvete sarve vratabhṛtaḥ smṛtāḥ prajānāṃ patayaḥ sarve sarve rudrātmakāḥ smṛtāḥ

Translation

此诸众皆实为苦行者；皆被称为持守神圣誓戒（vrata）之人。皆为众生后裔之主，亦皆被忆念为具鲁陀罗（Rudra）之本性——乃主宰（Pati）遍摄并贯通造化之诸显现。

Word by Word

• सर्वे: all

• तपस्विनः: ascetics, practitioners of tapas

• तु: indeed

• एते: these

• सर्वे: all

• व्रत-भृतः: vow-bearers, observers of vratas

• स्मृताः: are remembered/are known

• प्रजानाम्: of creatures/progeny

• पतयः: lords, rulers, protectors

• सर्वे: all

• रुद्र-आत्मकाः: having Rudra as their essence, Rudra-natured

• स्मृताः: are remembered/declared

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana account to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Rudra
• Prajapatis

FAQs

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

It establishes that the cosmic progenitors are Rudra-ensouled; thus Linga-worship is not merely sectarian but honors the Pati (Shiva) as the inner essence behind creation and its orderly continuation.

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

Shiva is presented as Rudra-tattva—the indwelling essence that empowers even the prajānāṁ patayaḥ (progenitors). This aligns with Shaiva Siddhanta’s view of Pati as transcendent yet immanent, ruling without being bound.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Tapas and vrata are highlighted as disciplines that refine the pashu (individual soul) and attune it to Rudra-bhāvanā—an orientation foundational to Pashupata-style observance and Shiva-puja.