Shloka 18

Adhyaya 75: Nishkala–Sakala Shiva, Twofold Linga, and the Supremacy of Dhyana-Yajna

Devanagari script

परानन्दात्मकं लिङ्गं विशुद्धं शिवमक्षरम् निष्कलं सर्वगं ज्ञेयं योगिनां हृदि संस्थितम्

Transliteration

parānandātmakaṃ liṅgaṃ viśuddhaṃ śivamakṣaram niṣkalaṃ sarvagaṃ jñeyaṃ yogināṃ hṛdi saṃsthitam

Translation

লিঙ্গক পৰমানন্দ-স্বৰূপ বুলি জানিবা—অতি বিশুদ্ধ, স্বয়ং শিৱ, অক্ষয় অক্ষৰ তত্ত্ব। ই নিষ্কল, সর্বব্যাপী আৰু যোগীৰ হৃদয়ত প্রতিষ্ঠিত।

Word by Word

• परानन्दात्मकम्: consisting of supreme bliss

• लिङ्गम्: the Linga (mark/sign of the Supreme)

• विशुद्धम्: perfectly pure

• शिवम्: Shiva, the auspicious Lord (Pati)

• अक्षरम्: imperishable, undecaying

• निष्कलम्: without parts/attributes, beyond fragmentation

• सर्वगम्: all-pervading

• ज्ञेयम्: to be known/realized

• योगिनाम्: of the yogins

• हृदि: in the heart

• संस्थितम्: abiding/established

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga’s transcendental nature within the Purva-Bhaga discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Linga
• Yogins

FAQs

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

It shifts Linga worship from mere external symbol to inner realization: the true Linga is Shiva’s pure, imperishable presence, to be known as all-pervading bliss and contemplated within the heart.

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

Shiva is presented as Akshara (unchanging), Vishuddha (absolutely pure), Nishkala (beyond parts and limiting distinctions), and Sarvaga (all-pervading)—the Pati whose reality is directly knowable to the yogin.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A yogic upasana: inward meditation on the Linga as the heart-established presence of Shiva—supporting Pashupata-style contemplation where the pashu (soul) turns inward to realize Pati beyond pasha (bondage).