Shloka 140

वासिष्ठकथनम् (आदित्य–सोमवंशवर्णनम् तथा रुद्रसहस्रनाम-प्रशंसा)

Devanagari script

महाकेतुर् धराधाता नैकतानरतः स्वरः अवेदनीय आवेद्यः सर्वगश् च सुखावहः

Transliteration

mahāketur dharādhātā naikatānarataḥ svaraḥ avedanīya āvedyaḥ sarvagaś ca sukhāvahaḥ

Translation

He is Mahāketu, the Great Banner of auspiciousness; the supporter and sustainer of the earth. He delights in single‑pointed absorption and is the primal Sound. Unknowable by ordinary means, yet to be realized through sacred revelation and inner awakening, He is all‑pervading and the bestower of bliss.

Word by Word

• महाकेतुः: the great banner/sign of auspiciousness

• धराधाता: bearer/sustainer of the earth

• नैकतानरतः: devoted to one-pointed concentration (ekāgratā/samādhi)

• स्वरः: sound, tone, the primal vibration (nāda)

• अवेदनीयः: not knowable/ not graspable by ordinary cognition

• आवेद्यः/अवेद्यः: to be made known/ to be realized (through revealed knowledge and direct insight)

• सर्वगः: all-pervading

• सुखावहः: bringer of happiness/bliss

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva-names within the Linga Purana discourse to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames the Linga-Pati as both the cosmic supporter (धराधाता) and the all-pervading reality (सर्वगः), so Linga-puja is not merely symbolic worship but communion with the bliss-giving Pati who pervades all places and beings.

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

Shiva is declared avedya—beyond ordinary pramāṇas—yet realizable as the inner Sound (स्वरः) and through revelation and direct yogic insight, indicating Pati as transcendent and immanent, the source of bliss (सुखावहः) for the pashu when pasha is loosened.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Naikatā (single-pointed absorption) is highlighted—an essential Pāśupata-oriented yogic discipline where the devotee stabilizes mind and breath in ekāgratā, using mantra/nāda (स्वरः) as a support for realizing the otherwise ‘ungraspable’ Shiva.