Shloka 18

Adhyaya 75: Nishkala–Sakala Shiva, Twofold Linga, and the Supremacy of Dhyana-Yajna

Devanagari script

परानन्दात्मकं लिङ्गं विशुद्धं शिवमक्षरम् निष्कलं सर्वगं ज्ञेयं योगिनां हृदि संस्थितम्

Transliteration

parānandātmakaṃ liṅgaṃ viśuddhaṃ śivamakṣaram niṣkalaṃ sarvagaṃ jñeyaṃ yogināṃ hṛdi saṃsthitam

Translation

Erkenne den Liṅga als das Wesen höchster Wonne: völlig rein, Śiva selbst, die unvergängliche Wirklichkeit; teil-los (jenseits aller Teilung), allgegenwärtig und im Herzen der Yogins gegründet.

Word by Word

• परानन्दात्मकम्: consisting of supreme bliss

• लिङ्गम्: the Linga (mark/sign of the Supreme)

• विशुद्धम्: perfectly pure

• शिवम्: Shiva, the auspicious Lord (Pati)

• अक्षरम्: imperishable, undecaying

• निष्कलम्: without parts/attributes, beyond fragmentation

• सर्वगम्: all-pervading

• ज्ञेयम्: to be known/realized

• योगिनाम्: of the yogins

• हृदि: in the heart

• संस्थितम्: abiding/established

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga’s transcendental nature within the Purva-Bhaga discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Linga
• Yogins

FAQs

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

It shifts Linga worship from mere external symbol to inner realization: the true Linga is Shiva’s pure, imperishable presence, to be known as all-pervading bliss and contemplated within the heart.

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

Shiva is presented as Akshara (unchanging), Vishuddha (absolutely pure), Nishkala (beyond parts and limiting distinctions), and Sarvaga (all-pervading)—the Pati whose reality is directly knowable to the yogin.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A yogic upasana: inward meditation on the Linga as the heart-established presence of Shiva—supporting Pashupata-style contemplation where the pashu (soul) turns inward to realize Pati beyond pasha (bondage).