Shloka 62

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

Devanagari script

४ स्ततेस् ओफ़् मिन्द् अधोदृष्ट्या वितस्त्यां तु नाभ्यामुपरितिष्ठति हृदयं तद्विजानीयाद् विश्वस्यायतनं महत्

Transliteration

4 states of mind adhodṛṣṭyā vitastyāṃ tu nābhyāmuparitiṣṭhati hṛdayaṃ tadvijānīyād viśvasyāyatanaṃ mahat

Translation

With the gaze directed downward, one should know the Heart that abides a span above the navel. That Heart is to be understood as the great abode of the universe—where Pati (Śiva) is realized within the pashu when the pasha of distraction is stilled.

Word by Word

• adhodṛṣṭyā: with the gaze lowered/downward

• vitastyām: at the measure of a span (of the hand)

• tu: indeed

• nābhyām: from/above the navel

• uparitiṣṭhati: stands/abides above

• hṛdayam: the heart (inner locus of awareness)

• tat: that

• vijānīyāt: one should know/understand

• viśvasya: of the universe/all existence

• āyatanam: abode/seat/support

• mahat: great, vast

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana’s teaching to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It shifts linga-upāsanā from only an outer icon to antaryāga: the “heart” is taught as the great āyatana where the devotee contemplates Mahādeva as the indwelling Pati.

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

Śiva-tattva is implied as the cosmic support present within: the heart-locus is called the universe’s great abode, indicating Pati as immanent while remaining transcendent.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A meditative discipline: lowering the gaze and fixing awareness in the hṛdaya a span above the navel—used in Pāśupata-oriented inner worship to quiet pasha and steady the pashu in Śiva.