Shloka 16

Adhyaya 17: लिङ्गोद्भव—ब्रह्मविष्ण्वहङ्कार-शमनं, ओंकार-प्रादुर्भावः, मन्त्र-तत्त्वं च

Devanagari script

प्रबुद्धो ऽहीयशयनात् समासीनः क्षणं वशी ददर्श निद्राविक्लिन्ननीरजामललोचनः

Transliteration

prabuddho 'hīyaśayanāt samāsīnaḥ kṣaṇaṃ vaśī dadarśa nidrāviklinnanīrajāmalalocanaḥ

Translation

Vom Schlangenlager erwacht, setzte sich der selbstbeherrschte Herr für einen Augenblick auf; mit lotosreinen Augen, noch vom Schlaf benetzt, blickte er umher—fest in der Herrschaft über die Sinne.

Word by Word

• प्रबुद्धः: awakened

• अहीय-शयनात्: from the serpent-bed (Ādiśeṣa couch)

• समासीनः: seated upright

• क्षणम्: for a moment

• वशी: self-controlled, master of the senses

• ददर्श: he beheld, he looked

• निद्रा: sleep

• विक्लिन्न: moistened, dampened

• नीरज: lotus

• अमल: spotless, pure

• लोचनः: eyes

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Purāṇic episode to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Ādiśeṣa

FAQs

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

It sets the narrative stage for the Liṅga’s manifestation by portraying the awakened cosmic deity (here, Viṣṇu) becoming attentive and self-controlled—an inner readiness that mirrors the devotee’s required steadiness before approaching Liṅga-pūjā.

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

Though Viṣṇu is described externally, the verse indirectly points to Śiva-tattva as the supreme Pati beyond the fluctuations of states (sleep/waking): the coming revelation of the Liṅga will transcend personal forms and disclose the absolute, stainless reality.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The key yogic marker is vaśitva—mastery over the senses and mental steadiness—implying that disciplined awareness (a prerequisite in Pāśupata-oriented practice) prepares one for true darśana of the Liṅga as Pati.