Shloka 18

श्वेतमुनिना कालस्य निग्रहः (मृत्युञ्जय-भक्ति-प्रसादः)

Devanagari script

लिङ्गे ऽस्मिन् संस्थितः श्वेत तव रुद्रो महेश्वरः निश्चेष्टो ऽसौ महादेवः कथं पूज्यो महेश्वरः

Transliteration

liṅge 'smin saṃsthitaḥ śveta tava rudro maheśvaraḥ niśceṣṭo 'sau mahādevaḥ kathaṃ pūjyo maheśvaraḥ

Translation

„O Śveta, dein Rudra—Maheśvara, der große Mahādeva—ist in diesem Liṅga gegründet. Doch Er ist ohne Handlung und unbewegt; wie also soll jener Mahādeva, Maheśvara, verehrt werden?“

Word by Word

• liṅge: in the Liṅga

• asmin: in this

• saṃsthitaḥ: established/abiding

• śveta: O Śveta

• tava: your

• rudraḥ: Rudra

• maheśvaraḥ: Maheśvara (Great Lord)

• niśceṣṭaḥ: without activity/actionless

• asau: that (He)

• mahādevaḥ: Mahādeva (Great God)

• katham: how

• pūjyaḥ: to be worshipped

• maheśvaraḥ: Maheśvara

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating an internal dialogue, addressing Śveta or quoting a question posed to him)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Rudra/Maheshvara/Mahadeva)
• Sveta

FAQs

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

It frames the core arcana question: the Liṅga is a valid support for worship precisely because the transcendent Pati (Shiva), though actionless in essence, graciously abides in a worshippable symbol for the uplift of the pashu (bound soul).

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

Shiva is presented as Mahādeva/Maheśvara who is niśceṣṭa—beyond worldly activity—indicating His transcendence over karma and change, while still being immanent through the Liṅga for the sake of grace (anugraha).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Liṅga-arcana is implied: worship of the actionless Pati through a concrete ritual focus, aligning devotion and inner stillness—key to Pāśupata orientation where the pashu turns from pāśa (bondage) toward Pati through disciplined worship and contemplation.