Shloka 59

अध्याय 91: अरिष्ट-लक्षण, मृत्यु-संस्कार, पाशुपत-धारणा तथा ओङ्कार-उपासना

Devanagari script

एतास्तु मात्रा विज्ञेया यथावदनुपूर्वशः यावदेव तु शक्यन्ते धार्यन्ते तावदेव हि

Transliteration

etāstu mātrā vijñeyā yathāvadanupūrvaśaḥ yāvadeva tu śakyante dhāryante tāvadeva hi

Translation

Diese Mātrās sind der rechten Ordnung gemäß korrekt zu erkennen. Wahrlich, die Übung soll nur so lange bewahrt werden, wie sie wirklich möglich ist—nur bis zu diesem Maß.

Word by Word

• etāḥ: these

• tu: indeed/but

• mātrāḥ: measures (units of time, esp. in yogic regulation)

• vijñeyāḥ: to be known/understood

• yathāvat: properly, as prescribed

• anupūrvaśaḥ: sequentially, step by step

• yāvat eva: only as much as

• tu: indeed

• śakyante: are possible/can be done

• dhāryante: are to be held/maintained (retained in practice)

• tāvat eva: only that much

• hi: for/indeed.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the prescribed discipline as taught in the Linga Purana tradition)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Shaiva practice as disciplined and measurable: even in Linga-upāsanā and allied yogic acts, one proceeds step-by-step and only to the capacity that preserves steadiness and purity.

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

By implying that approach to Pati (Shiva) is through regulated, truthful sādhanā: the finite pashu advances gradually, loosening pāśa through ordered practice rather than forceful excess.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse points to mātrā-based regulation—commonly applied to prāṇāyāma/retention and other timed observances—emphasizing gradual increase (anupūrva) and capacity-based restraint.