Shloka 37

ध्यानयज्ञः, संसार-विष-निरूपणम्, पाशुपतयोगः, परा-अपरा विद्या, चतुर्वस्था-विचारः (अध्यायः ८६)

Devanagari script

दुःखमेव न संदेहो न जानन्ति ह्यपण्डिताः स्वर्गे ऽप्येवं मुनिश्रेष्ठा ह्य् अविशुद्धक्षयादिभिः

Transliteration

duḥkhameva na saṃdeho na jānanti hyapaṇḍitāḥ svarge 'pyevaṃ muniśreṣṭhā hy aviśuddhakṣayādibhiḥ

Translation

Indeed, it is suffering alone—there is no doubt. The unlearned do not recognize this. O best of sages, even in heaven it is so, because of factors such as impurity and the wearing away of merit.

Word by Word

• दुःखम्: suffering

• एव: indeed/alone

• न: not

• संदेहः: doubt

• न जानन्ति: do not know/recognize

• हि: indeed

• अपण्डिताः: the unwise/unlearned

• स्वर्गे अपि: even in heaven

• एवम्: thus/in this way

• मुनिश्रेष्ठाः: O best of sages

• अविशुद्ध: impurity/lack of purification

• क्षय: exhaustion/decay (of puṇya/merit)

• आदिभिः: and the like/and other such causes

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Svarga as impermanent due to impurity and the exhaustion of merit, implying that Linga-worship aimed at Śiva (Pati) should be oriented toward śuddhi and mokṣa rather than temporary heavenly reward.

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

By contrasting decaying, merit-based heaven with the inevitability of duḥkha in conditioned states, it indirectly points to Śiva-tattva as the transcendent refuge beyond puṇya-kṣaya—Pati who alone can cut the pāśa of bondage for the paśu.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights the necessity of purification (śuddhi) beyond mere karmic ritual—supporting a Pāśupata-oriented emphasis on inner discipline, detachment (vairāgya), and Śiva-upāsanā aimed at liberation.