Shloka 28

Adhyaya 72 — Puradāha: Rudra’s Cosmic Chariot, Pāśupata-Vrata, and Brahmā’s Shiva-Stuti

Devanagari script

शिव मोउन्त्स् थे छरिओत् ऋषिभिः स्तूयमानश् च वन्द्यमानश् च बन्दिभिः उपनृत्तश्चाप्सरसां गणैर्नृत्यविशारदैः

Transliteration

Śiva mounts the chariot ṛṣibhiḥ stūyamānaś ca vandyamānaś ca bandibhiḥ upanṛttaścāpsarasāṃ gaṇairnṛtyaviśāradaiḥ

Translation

湿婆登上战车——众仙（ṛṣi）赞颂，颂德者礼敬；又有善舞的阿普萨拉斯天女成群环绕起舞，随侍相伴以奉献。

Word by Word

• Śivaḥ: Lord Śiva (Pati, the Supreme Lord)

• ratham: chariot

• āruroha (āruroha): mounted/ascended

• ṛṣibhiḥ: by the seers

• stūyamānaḥ: being praised

• ca: and

• vandyamānaḥ: being saluted/revered

• bandibhiḥ: by bards/panegyrists

• upanṛttaḥ: danced/performed in attendance (around)

• apsarasām: of the apsarases (celestial nymphs)

• gaṇaiḥ: by groups/hosts

• nṛtya-viśāradaiḥ: expert in dance.

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Rishis
• Apsarases
• Bandis (bards)

FAQs

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

It highlights stuti (praise) and vandana (reverent salutation) as core limbs of Śaiva devotion—modes by which the pashu (soul) turns toward Pati (Śiva), preparing the mind for Linga-upāsanā and inner consecration.

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

Śiva is shown as the sovereign Pati—naturally worthy of praise and worship by ṛṣis and celestial beings—indicating His transcendence and lordship that draws all orders of existence into harmonious acknowledgement.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse foregrounds stotra and vandana (devotional recitation and salutations), which function as bhakti-aṅgas that steady attention, purify citta, and support Pāśupata-oriented contemplation of Śiva.