Shloka 57

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

Devanagari script

अप्रमेयं तदस्थूलम् अदीर्घं तदनुल्बणम् अह्रस्वं तदपारं च तदानन्दं तदच्युतम्

Transliteration

aprameyaṃ tadasthūlam adīrghaṃ tadanulbaṇam ahrasvaṃ tadapāraṃ ca tadānandaṃ tadacyutam

Translation

That Supreme Pati, Lord Śiva, is immeasurable—neither gross nor extended; neither excessive nor deficient; neither short nor bounded. He is of the nature of bliss (ānanda), and He is Acyuta, the imperishable and unfailing One.

Word by Word

• aprameyam: immeasurable, beyond valid measure

• tat: that Supreme Reality (Śiva/Pati)

• asthūlam: not gross, not material

• adīrgham: not long, not extended in space

• anulbaṇam: not excessive, not overgrown, not disproportionate

• ahrasvam: not short, not contracted

• apāram: without further shore, limitless

• ānandam: bliss, essential beatitude

• acyutam: imperishable, unfailing, not subject to decline

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana teaching to the sages of Naimisharanya, conveying the doctrine of Shiva-tattva)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It anchors Linga-pūjā in the truth that the Linga signifies the immeasurable, formless Pati—so the rite is not idol-worship but contemplation of the limitless Shiva-tattva through a sacred symbol.

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

Shiva is presented as beyond spatial measures and material qualities—neither long nor short, neither bounded nor gross—yet positively affirmed as ānanda (bliss) and acyuta (imperishable), the transcendental Lord distinct from pashu and pasha.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A contemplative (dhyāna) approach is implied: in Pāśupata-oriented practice, the sādhaka negates limiting measures (gross/subtle, long/short) and steadies awareness on Shiva as boundless ānanda, supporting inner worship alongside external Linga-pūjā.