Shloka 6

प्रसाद-ज्ञान-योग-मोक्षक्रमः तथा व्यास-रुद्रावतार-मन्वन्तर-परम्परा

Devanagari script

ऋषय ऊचुः प्रसादाद् यदि विज्ञानं स्वरूपं वक्तुमर्हसि दिव्यं माहेश्वरं चैव योगं योगविदां वर

Transliteration

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ prasādād yadi vijñānaṃ svarūpaṃ vaktumarhasi divyaṃ māheśvaraṃ caiva yogaṃ yogavidāṃ vara

Translation

The sages said: “Out of grace, if you deem it fit to speak, please explain the true nature of divine knowledge—the essential reality of Mahēśvara—and also that Māheśvara Yoga, O best among the knowers of Yoga.”

Word by Word

• ऋषयः: the sages

• ऊचुः: said

• प्रसादात्: out of grace, by favor

• यदि: if

• विज्ञानम्: higher knowledge, realized knowledge

• स्वरूपम्: essential nature, true form

• वक्तुम्: to speak, to explain

• अर्हसि: you are worthy/please consent

• दिव्यम्: divine

• माहेश्वरम्: pertaining to Maheshvara (Shiva), Shaiva

• च एव: and indeed

• योगम्: yoga, disciplined path

• योगविदाम्: of the knowers of yoga

• वर: O best, O excellent one

Speaker

Rishis (Sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Maheshvara)

FAQs

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

It frames the teaching context: the sages seek Shaiva realized knowledge (vijñāna) and Māheśvara Yoga, implying that true Linga devotion is grounded in Shiva-tattva understanding and disciplined practice, not mere external ritual.

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

By asking for Maheshvara’s “svarūpa” and “divya vijñāna,” the verse points to Shiva as Pati—the divine Lord whose essential reality is to be known through grace and direct realization, leading the pashu beyond pāśa (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse explicitly highlights Māheśvara Yoga—understood in this Purāṇic Shaiva context as the Pāśupata-oriented discipline of devotion, restraint, contemplation on Shiva, and liberation through Shiva’s grace.