Shloka 74

Devanagari script

शास्त्रं च शास्ता सर्वेषाम् अकरोत्कामरूपधृक् सर्वसंमोहनं मायी दृष्टप्रत्ययसंयुतम्

Transliteration

śāstraṃ ca śāstā sarveṣām akarotkāmarūpadhṛk sarvasaṃmohanaṃ māyī dṛṣṭapratyayasaṃyutam

Translation

In einer Gestalt nach seinem Willen verfasste der Herr—Lehrer aller—das Śāstra: eine wunderbare, alles verwirrende Offenbarung, durch Māyā gewirkt, und doch versehen mit Belegen, die durch unmittelbare Wahrnehmung und anerkannte Erkenntnismittel bestätigt sind.

Word by Word

• शास्त्रम्: sacred doctrine/scripture

• च: and

• शास्ता: the ruler/teacher (Pati, Lord Shiva)

• सर्वेषाम्: of all beings

• अकरोत्: made/composed/established

• कामरूपधृक्: one who assumes forms at will

• सर्वसंमोहनम्: that which deludes/bewilders all (veiling power)

• मायी: the wielder of Māyā

• दृष्ट: seen/directly perceived

• प्रत्यय: cognition/valid knowledge

• संयुतम्: endowed with/connected to

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purāṇic account to the sages; internal referent is Shiva as Śāstā)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It presents Shiva as Śāstā—the ultimate authority who establishes śāstra—implying that Linga-pūjā and its vidhi are not mere custom but divinely instituted means for the paśu to approach Pati through regulated practice and right knowledge.

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

Shiva is shown as both transcendent teacher and Māyin: he can assume any form (kāmarūpadhṛk) and employ Māyā to veil, yet he also grounds revelation in pramāṇa—valid cognition such as perception—so that bondage (pāśa) can be recognized and ultimately transcended.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights śāstra-based sādhanā: disciplined observance (vidhi) and pramāṇa-guided inquiry, foundational to Pāśupata-oriented practice where right doctrine and lived verification support purification and liberation.