Shloka 17
Self-Knowledge and the Allegory of the Five Elements & Senses
Karma, Association, and Rebirth
सर्वसिद्धिस्तु सर्वात्मा सात्विकः सर्वसिद्धिदः । एवं सर्वमयो देवि भ्रमत्येको निरञ्जनः
sarvasiddhistu sarvātmā sātvikaḥ sarvasiddhidaḥ | evaṃ sarvamayo devi bhramatyeko nirañjanaḥ
তিনি সকল সিদ্ধির পরিপূর্ণতা, সর্বসত্তার আত্মা, সাত্ত্বিক ও নির্মল, এবং সকল সিদ্ধিদাতা। হে দেবী, সর্বময় হয়েও সেই এক নিরঞ্জন পরমতত্ত্ব যেন ভ্রমণ করছে বলে প্রতীয়মান হয়।
Mahādeva (Śiva) addressing Devī (Pārvatī)
Concept: The one stainless Reality, though all-pervading and the giver of all siddhis, appears to ‘wander’—a teaching on appearance versus truth.
Application: When life feels unstable, remember the witnessing center is unstained; pursue purity (sattva) through regulated living, truthful speech, and devotion rather than chasing siddhis.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: mountain
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vast cosmic panorama unfolds behind Śiva’s teaching: the One stainless Reality is depicted as a clear, crystal-like presence permeating mountains, forests, cities, and stars. Yet a subtle, translucent figure seems to ‘walk’ across the scene like a mirage, illustrating apparent wandering within all-pervasion.","primary_figures":["Mahādeva (Śiva)","Devī (Pārvatī)","symbolic Niranjana Reality (crystal presence)"],"setting":"Kailāsa foreground opening into a cosmic vista of worlds layered like a mandala","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["crystal white","midnight blue","aura gold","smoky violet","sattvic green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Śiva instructing Pārvatī with a grand mandala backdrop showing the Niranjana Reality as a crystal aura permeating all realms; a faint walking silhouette overlay to suggest ‘appears to wander’; heavy gold leaf for mandala rings and halos, rich reds/greens, jeweled ornaments, ornate pillars with lotus and trident motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined Śiva–Pārvatī dialogue on a ledge, background opening into layered hills and starry sky; a transparent figure drifting across the landscape like a mirage; cool blues and violets, delicate gradients, lyrical naturalism, fine facial detailing.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: symmetrical composition with Śiva and Devī, central circular field filled with stylized worlds; the Niranjana as pale uncolored negative space outlined in black, with a subtle moving outline; red-yellow-green palette, temple mural texture, bold eyes and decorative borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central cosmic lotus mandala representing sarvātmā, with a translucent ‘wandering’ outline across petals; ornate floral borders, deep indigo and gold, peacocks and cows arranged in calm symmetry, devotional abstraction emphasizing mystery and purity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["tanpura drone","soft conch shell","temple bells","deep silence between lines"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सर्वसिद्धिस्तु = सर्वसिद्धिः+तु (विसर्ग-लोप); सर्वात्मा, सर्वसिद्धिदः, सर्वमयः समास; भ्रमत्येको = भ्रमति+एकः (इति संधि/यणादेश-प्रयोगः पाठभेदेन).
FAQs
It describes a single, stainless principle that pervades everything; its “wandering” is an appearance, not a real change in the Absolute.
Because all capacities and attainments are grounded in that universal Self; any “perfection” is ultimately derived from it.
Seeing the same Self in all supports non-harm, compassion, and restraint, since harming others is contrary to realizing the one Self everywhere.