Shloka 21

Adhyaya 73 — त्रिपुरदाहे ब्रह्मस्तवः

Brahmā’s Hymn in the Context of Tripura’s Burning

Devanagari script

बाह्ये चाभ्यन्तरे चैव मन्ये कर्तव्यमीश्वरम् प्रतिज्ञा मम विष्णोश् च दिव्यैषा सुरसत्तमाः

Transliteration

bāhye cābhyantare caiva manye kartavyamīśvaram pratijñā mama viṣṇoś ca divyaiṣā surasattamāḥ

Translation

噢，诸天中最胜者！我认为应当于外与于内同时礼敬自在主（Īśvara）；此神圣誓愿为我所立——亦为毗湿奴所同立。

Word by Word

• बाह्ये: outwardly (by external rites)

• च: and

• अभ्यन्तरे: inwardly (in the heart)

• चैव: and indeed

• मन्ये: I consider/I hold

• कर्तव्यम्: to be done/should be performed

• ईश्वरम्: the Lord (Pati, Shiva as Īśvara)

• प्रतिज्ञा: vow/solemn resolve

• मम: my

• विष्णोः: of Vishnu

• च: and

• दिव्या: divine

• एषा: this

• सुरसत्तमाः: O best among the gods

Speaker

Suta (narrating an internal declaration within the Deva dialogue)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Vishnu
• Devas

FAQs

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

It establishes that true Linga-upasana is twofold—bahya (ritual worship) and abhyantara (inner contemplation)—uniting puja-vidhi with inner realization of Pati (Shiva).

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

Shiva is presented as Īśvara/Pati who must be approached both as an outwardly worshipped Lord and as the indwelling reality realized within, indicating transcendence plus immanence.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It points to integrated practice: external Shiva-puja (bahir-yajana) alongside inner worship through dhyana and antar-bhakti aligned with Pashupata-oriented inward discipline.