Shloka 7

Brahmā’s Yogic Vision of Sadyōjāta in the Śvetalohita Kalpa

Devanagari script

सुनन्दो नन्दनश्चैव विश्वनन्दोपनन्दनौ शिष्यास्ते वै महात्मानो यैस्तद्ब्रह्म सदावृतम्

Transliteration

sunando nandanaścaiva viśvanandopanandanau śiṣyāste vai mahātmāno yaistadbrahma sadāvṛtam

Translation

Sunanda, Nandana, Viśvananda und Upanandana—wahrlich, dies waren großherzige Schüler, durch die jenes Brahman (die Śiva-verwirklichende Erkenntnis) stets bewahrt und geschützt wurde.

Word by Word

• sunandaḥ: Sunanda (name of a disciple)

• nandanaḥ: Nandana (name of a disciple)

• ca eva: and indeed

• viśvanandaḥ: Viśvananda (name of a disciple)

• upanandanaḥ: Upanandana (name of a disciple)

• śiṣyāḥ: disciples

• te: they/those

• vai: indeed

• mahātmānaḥ: great-souled, noble ones

• yaiḥ: by whom

• tat: that

• brahma: Brahman / brahma-vidyā (supreme knowledge culminating in Śiva-tattva)

• sadā: always

• āvṛtam: covered over / safeguarded / kept intact (i.e., preserved from loss and corruption)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Sunanda
• Nandana
• Viśvananda
• Upanandana
• Brahman (Śiva-tattva)

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that authentic Linga-worship rests on a protected lineage of teaching—disciples preserve the core Śaiva brahma-vidyā so ritual remains aligned with realization of Pati (Śiva), not mere external form.

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

By calling the highest truth “Brahman” and noting it is preserved by realized disciples, the verse implies Shiva-tattva as the supreme, liberating knowledge—Pati, the ultimate reality known through transmission and practice.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights guru-paramparā as the enabling discipline behind Pāśupata Yoga and Śiva-upāsanā: the safeguarding and correct handing down of mantras, meanings, and observances connected to Śiva-realization.