Shloka 93

वासिष्ठकथनम् (आदित्य–सोमवंशवर्णनम् तथा रुद्रसहस्रनाम-प्रशंसा)

Devanagari script

सिद्धियोगापहारी च सिद्धः सर्वार्थसाधकः अक्षुण्णः क्षुण्णरूपश् च वृषणो मृदुर् अव्ययः

Transliteration

siddhiyogāpahārī ca siddhaḥ sarvārthasādhakaḥ akṣuṇṇaḥ kṣuṇṇarūpaś ca vṛṣaṇo mṛdur avyayaḥ

Translation

He withdraws even yogic attainments (siddhis) from the unfit; He is Siddha, ever Perfect, the accomplisher of every true aim. Unbroken and undecaying, yet for the sake of līlā appearing in forms that seem broken and crushed; the mighty Bull, gentle in grace, and imperishable—such is Śiva, the Pati revealed in the Liṅga Purāṇa.

Word by Word

• सिद्धि-योग-अपहारी: remover/withholder of siddhis and yogic powers

• च: and

• सिद्धः: the Perfect/Accomplished One

• सर्व-अर्थ-साधकः: accomplisher of all aims (dharma, artha, kāma, mokṣa) for devotees

• अक्षुण्णः: unbroken, unimpaired, undecaying

• क्षुण्ण-रूपः: having (seemingly) crushed/altered forms, appearing as broken forms by māyā or līlā

• च: and

• वृषणः: the Bull-like, virile/mighty one (also linked to Vṛṣabha symbolism)

• मृदुः: gentle, soft, compassionate

• अव्ययः: imperishable, inexhaustible.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Sahasranama 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 the true giver of all legitimate aims while also restraining siddhis that can bind the pashu (soul) through pride—guiding worship toward moksha rather than power.

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

Shiva is described as akṣuṇṇa (unimpaired) and avyaya (imperishable), yet capable of manifesting kṣuṇṇa-rūpa—appearing limited or “broken” in forms through līlā—showing transcendence alongside immanence.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights a Pāśupata-Yogic principle: siddhis are secondary and can become pāśa (bondage); the sādhaka should pursue devotion, discipline, and Linga-upāsanā aimed at Shiva’s grace and liberation.