Shloka 21

ईशानकल्पवृत्तान्तः तथा लैङ्गपुराणस्य संक्षेप-सूची

Devanagari script

संध्यांशकप्रमाणं च संध्यावृत्तं भवस्य च श्मशाननिलयश्चैव चन्द्ररेखासमुद्भवः

Transliteration

saṃdhyāṃśakapramāṇaṃ ca saṃdhyāvṛttaṃ bhavasya ca śmaśānanilayaścaiva candrarekhāsamudbhavaḥ

Translation

He (Bhava, Lord Śiva) is measured by the subtle “portion of twilight”, beyond ordinary reckoning; His mode is the twilight-state itself. He abides in the cremation-ground, and from Him arises the mark of the crescent moon.

Word by Word

• saṃdhyā-aṃśaka: a small portion/measure of twilight

• pramāṇam: measure, standard

• ca: and

• saṃdhyā-vṛttam: having the conduct/state of twilight (liminality)

• bhavasya: of Bhava (Śiva)

• śmaśāna-nilayaḥ: dweller in the cremation-ground

• ca eva: and indeed

• candra-rekhā: the crescent line of the moon

• samudbhavaḥ: arising/originating, source

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Śiva’s characteristics to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Śiva as beyond ordinary measurement (pramāṇa) and as the Lord of liminal states; this supports Linga worship as contemplation of Pati who transcends time, death, and all boundaries symbolized by twilight and the cremation-ground.

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

Śiva-tattva is presented as boundary-transcending: present in the ‘twilight’ between opposites and sovereign even over death (śmaśāna). As Pati, He is not confined by worldly standards, yet He bears the crescent as a compassionate, accessible mark for devotion.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Meditation at saṃdhyā (dawn/dusk) is implied: a Pāśupata-leaning contemplative practice where the sādhaka focuses on Śiva as the Lord of transitions, using twilight-japa/dhyāna and remembrance of death (śmaśāna-bhāvanā) to cut pasha (bondage).