Shloka 32

योगान्तरायाः, औपसर्गिकसिद्धयः, परवैराग्येन शैवप्रसादः

Devanagari script

जले निवसनं यद्वद् भूम्यामिव विनिर्गमः इच्छेच्छक्तः स्वयं पातुं समुद्रमपि नातुरः

Transliteration

jale nivasanaṃ yadvad bhūmyāmiva vinirgamaḥ icchecchaktaḥ svayaṃ pātuṃ samudramapi nāturaḥ

Translation

Just as one may dwell within water and yet emerge onto dry land, so too the Lord—whose very nature is sovereign Will (icchā-śakti)—is never constrained; if He so wishes, He can even drink up the ocean by Himself, without strain.

Word by Word

• जले (jale): in water

• निवसनम् (nivāsanam): dwelling, residing

• यद्वत् (yadvat): just as

• भूम्याम् (bhūmyām): on the earth, on dry ground

• इव (iva): as if, like

• विनिर्गमः (vinirgamaḥ): coming out, emergence

• इच्छा-शक्तः (icchā-śaktaḥ): endowed with the power of Will, empowered by icchā-śakti

• स्वयम् (svayam): by Himself

• पातुम् (pātum): to drink

• समुद्रम् (samudram): the ocean

• अपि (api): even

• न (na): not

• आतुरः (āturaḥ): distressed, strained, afflicted

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames the Linga as the sign of the transcendent Pati—Shiva—who is not limited by the elements; worship of the Linga is thus worship of the Lord beyond worldly constraints (pāśa).

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

It presents Shiva as icchā-śakti-svarūpa: utterly free, self-sufficient, and unconstrained—able to act upon the cosmos (even the ocean) without effort, highlighting His status as Pati over all pashus and pashas.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse supports Pāśupata orientation: cultivate surrender and steadiness by contemplating Shiva’s absolute freedom (svātantrya) during japa/dhyāna on the Linga, loosening the pashu’s bondage (pāśa) through devotion and insight.