Shloka 48
Īśvara-Gītā (continued): Twofold Yoga, Aṣṭāṅga Discipline, Pāśupata Meditation, and the Unity of Nārāyaṇa–Maheśvara
जन्तुव्याप्ते श्मशाने च जीर्णगोष्ठे चतुष्पथे / सशब्दे सभये वापि चैत्यवल्मीकसंचये
jantuvyāpte śmaśāne ca jīrṇagoṣṭhe catuṣpathe / saśabde sabhaye vāpi caityavalmīkasaṃcaye
An Orten, die von Wesen wimmeln, auf dem Verbrennungsplatz, in einem verfallenen Kuhstall, an einer Wegkreuzung, an einem lärmenden oder furchterregenden Platz, und auch in einem Haufen von Heiligtümern und Ameisenhügeln — dort soll man keine beständige Meditation beginnen.
Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing King Indradyumna within the Ishvara Gita teaching
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It implies that realization of the Self requires steadiness (ekāgratā) and sattvic conditions; disturbed or fear-inducing locations agitate the mind, obstructing inward absorption where Atman is directly known.
It gives a practical dhyāna-vidhi rule: choose a quiet, safe, and stable environment for concentration. Avoid places that provoke distraction (noise, crowds) or fear, since they hinder the disciplined mind required in Pāśupata-oriented contemplation of Īśvara.
Within the Ishvara Gita’s synthesis, Vishnu as Kurma teaches a discipline often associated with Shaiva-Pashupata yoga—showing shared yogic standards and a unified puranic approach to Īśvara-bhakti and meditation.