Shloka 148

Praṇava-Māhātmya and the Twofold Mantra (Sūkṣma–Sthūla) in Śaiva Sādhanā

Devanagari script

शिवज्ञानिषु लक्षेषु ध्यानयुक्तो विशिष्यते । ध्यानयुक्तेषु कोटिभ्यः समाधिस्थो विशिष्यते

Transliteration

śivajñāniṣu lakṣeṣu dhyānayukto viśiṣyate | dhyānayukteṣu koṭibhyaḥ samādhistho viśiṣyate

Translation

من بين مئات الألوف من أصحاب معرفة شيفا، يكون الأسمى من استقرّ في الدهيانا (dhyāna)؛ ومن بين الملايين المستقرّين في الدهيانا، يكون الأسمى من ثبت راسخًا في السامادهي (samādhi).

Word by Word

• शिवज्ञानिषु: among knowers of Shiva
• शिवज्ञानिषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव-ज्ञानी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (शिवस्य ज्ञानी); अधिकरण/सापेक्ष-निर्देश (among)

• लक्षेषु: in lakhs (hundreds of thousands)
• लक्षेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी विभक्ति, बहुवचन; संख्या-समूहार्थे (in lakhs)

• ध्यानयुक्तः: one devoted to meditation
• ध्यानयुक्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्यान-युक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः तृतीया-तत्पुरुषः (ध्यानेन युक्तः)

• विशिष्यते: excels
• विशिष्यते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-शिष् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• ध्यानयुक्तेषु: among meditators
• ध्यानयुक्तेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्यान-युक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः तृतीया-तत्पुरुषः (ध्यानेन युक्तः); अधिकरणार्थे (among)

• कोटिभ्यः: than crores (tens of millions)
• कोटिभ्यः: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कोटि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी विभक्ति, बहुवचन; अपादानार्थे (than crores)

• समाधिस्थः: one established in samādhi
• समाधिस्थः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समाधि-स्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः सप्तमी-तत्पुरुषः (समाधौ स्थितः)

• विशिष्यते: excels
• विशिष्यते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-शिष् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Naṭarāja

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Directs aspirants beyond conceptual Śiva-jñāna to dhyāna and finally samādhi—where grace culminates in experiential liberation.

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It ranks spiritual attainment: mere Śiva-jñāna is exalted, but sustained dhyāna is rarer, and nirantara samādhi—steady absorption in Śiva as Pati (the Lord)—is the highest, leading toward liberation from pāśa (bondage).

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

In Shaiva practice, Linga-upāsanā and Saguna Śiva devotion mature into dhyāna; when the mind becomes one-pointed on Śiva through mantra and worship, that devotion culminates in samādhi, where the worshipper abides in Śiva-consciousness.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Regular japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with Linga-dhyāna is implied; the practical takeaway is to move from understanding and recitation into steady meditation, aiming for uninterrupted absorption (samādhi).