Shloka 17

Lord Śiva Instructs the Pracetās (Śiva-stuti and the Path of Bhakti)

Devanagari script

सङ्गम: खलु विप्रर्षे शिवेनेह शरीरिणाम् । दुर्लभो मुनयो दध्युरसङ्गाद्यमभीप्सितम् ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

saṅgamaḥ khalu viprarṣe śiveneha śarīriṇām durlabho munayo dadhyur asaṅgād yam abhīpsitam

Translation

O best of brāhmaṇas, for embodied beings trapped within this material frame, personal contact with Lord Śiva is indeed rare. Even great sages free from attachment, though absorbed in meditation longing for such a meeting, do not attain it easily.

Synonyms

• saṅgamaḥ: meeting/association
• saṅgamaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṅgama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• khalu: indeed
• khalu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: khalu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (emphasis/assurance)

• vipra-ṛṣe: O brāhmaṇa-sage
• vipra-ṛṣe: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vipra + ṛṣi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular; समासः: विप्रश्चासौ ऋषिः (कर्मधारय)

• śivena: with Śiva
• śivena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• iha: here (in this world)
• iha: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iha (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (देशवाचक)

• śarīriṇām: of embodied beings
• śarīriṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śarīrin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• durlabhaḥ: rare/difficult to obtain
• durlabhaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: durlabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (agreeing with saṅgamaḥ)

• munayaḥ: sages
• munayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• dadhyuḥ: they considered/held
• dadhyuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dhā (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural; parasmaipada; meaning 'they held/considered'

• asaṅgāt: from non-association/detachment
• asaṅgāt: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asaṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular

• yam: which
• yam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; relative pronoun referring to abhīpsitam

• abhīpsitam: desired/sought-after
• abhīpsitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: abhīpsita (प्रातिपदिक; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त from √āp with abhi- + desiderative sense)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; kta participle used as adjective meaning 'desired'

Purport

Since Lord Śiva does not incarnate himself unless there is some special reason, it is very difficult for an ordinary person to contact him. However, Lord Śiva does descend on a special occasion when he is ordered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In this regard, it is stated in the Padma Purāṇa that Lord Śiva appeared as a brāhmaṇa in the Age of Kali to preach the Māyāvāda philosophy, which is nothing but a type of Buddhist philosophy. It is stated in Padma Purāṇa:

Characters & Entities

• Lord Śiva
• the sages (munis)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about detachment (asaṅga)?

This verse states that sages regard asaṅga—freedom from worldly association and attachment—as the truly desirable goal, especially since exalted association like that of Lord Śiva is rare.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī mention Lord Śiva’s association as rare?

He highlights the rarity of direct, auspicious contact with great devotees like Lord Śiva to emphasize that one should cultivate the attainable essence of such association—detachment and purity of heart.

How can I apply the teaching of asaṅga in modern life?

Practice conscious non-attachment: reduce unhealthy influences, simplify desires, keep devotional company when possible, and engage the mind in spiritual hearing and remembrance so relationships and work don’t bind the heart.