Shloka 9

वासिष्ठकथनम् (आदित्य–सोमवंशवर्णनम् तथा रुद्रसहस्रनाम-प्रशंसा)

Devanagari script

सो ऽपि गोकर्णमाश्रित्य फलकेनानिलाशनः आराधयन्महादेवं यावद्वर्षायुतायुतम्

Transliteration

so 'pi gokarṇamāśritya phalakenānilāśanaḥ ārādhayanmahādevaṃ yāvadvarṣāyutāyutam

Translation

他亦依止于果迦那（Gokarṇa），仅以一块木板为床，以气息为食；并礼敬大天（Mahādeva）达一万乘一万年之久。

Word by Word

• सः (saḥ): he

• अपि (api): also/too

• गोकर्णम् (gokarṇam): Gokarṇa (sacred kṣetra)

• आश्रित्य (āśritya): resorting to/taking refuge in

• फलकेन (phalakena): with a plank/wooden board (as austere seat/bed)

• अनिल-आशनः (anila-āśanaḥ): one whose food is air (breath-only, extreme fasting)

• आराधयन् (ārādhayan): worshipping/propitiating

• महादेवम् (mahādevam): Mahādeva (Śiva as Pati, the Supreme Lord)

• यावत् (yāvat): for as long as

• वर्ष-अयुत-अयुतम् (varṣāyuta-ayutam): ten-thousand ten-thousands of years (100 million years, hyperbolic tapas-duration)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Mahadeva)
• Gokarna (Kshetra)

FAQs

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

It frames Gokarṇa as a power-center (kṣetra) where unwavering ārādhana of Mahādeva—supported by severe tapas and restraint—becomes especially fruitful, underscoring that Linga-bhakti is strengthened by discipline (niyama) and sacred place.

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

Śiva is invoked as Mahādeva, the Pati (Lord) who is approached through sustained devotion and tapas; the verse implies that the bound soul (paśu) can turn inward, reduce dependence on sense-objects, and orient entirely toward the Supreme.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

An extreme form of tapas with breath-centered living (anilāśanaḥ) and austere observance (phalaka as minimal seat/bed), aligning with Pāśupata-style renunciation, self-restraint, and one-pointed worship (ārādhana).