Shloka 19

Adhyaya 23: श्वेत-लोहित-पीत-कृष्ण-विश्व-कल्पेषु रुद्रस्वरूप-गायत्री-तत्त्ववर्णनम्

Devanagari script

मत्कृतेन च वर्णेन संकल्पः कृष्ण उच्यते तत्राहं कालसंकाशः कालो लोकप्रकालकः

Transliteration

matkṛtena ca varṇena saṃkalpaḥ kṛṣṇa ucyate tatrāhaṃ kālasaṃkāśaḥ kālo lokaprakālakaḥ

Translation

By the syllable and sound-form uttered by Me, the determining will is called “Kṛṣṇa.” There I appear Time-like; I am Time itself (Kāla), the ordainer who measures and drives the worlds onward.

Word by Word

• मत्कृतेन: made/produced by me

• च: and

• वर्णेन: by the syllable/letter/sound

• संकल्पः: volition, resolve, determinative will

• कृष्णः: ‘Kṛṣṇa’ (the dark one

• उच्यते: is said/called

• तत्र: there/in that

• अहम्: I

• कालसंकाशः: having the appearance/semblance of Time

• कालः: Time

• लोकप्रकालकः: the measurer/impeller/arranger of the worlds

Speaker

Suta (narrating Shiva’s doctrine of Time as Pati)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Kala (Time)

FAQs

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

It frames the Linga as the sign of Pati who transcends yet governs change: worship is directed to Shiva as the inner Time-power that measures creation, preservation, and dissolution.

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

Shiva is identified with Kāla—not merely as passing time, but as the sovereign regulator of the cosmos, the one whose will (saṅkalpa) becomes the ordering principle behind worldly processes.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A contemplative practice is implied: meditate on Shiva as Kāla (the measurer of all states) to loosen pasha (bondage) and steady the pashu (soul) in awareness of Pati.