Shloka 5

योगान्तरायाः, औपसर्गिकसिद्धयः, परवैराग्येन शैवप्रसादः

Devanagari script

इदं वेत्युभयस्पृक्तं विज्ञानं स्थानसंशयः अनवस्थितचित्तत्वम् अप्रतिष्ठा हि योगिनः

Transliteration

idaṃ vetyubhayaspṛktaṃ vijñānaṃ sthānasaṃśayaḥ anavasthitacittatvam apratiṣṭhā hi yoginaḥ

Translation

This so-called ‘knowing’ is mixed with duality; it becomes mere cognition entangled in opposites. From that arises doubt about one’s true station, an unsteady mind, and—indeed—for the yogin, a lack of firm establishment. Only when the paśu rests in the Pati (Śiva) does steadiness become possible.

Word by Word

• idam: this

• veti: (one) knows/understands

• ubhaya-spṛktam: touched by both (sides), mixed with duality

• vijñānam: discriminative cognition/knowledge

• sthāna: state, position, spiritual ground

• saṃśayaḥ: doubt

• anavasthita: unstable, not settled

• cittatvam: condition of mind/mentality

• apratiṣṭhā: lack of foundation, non-establishment

• hi: indeed

• yoginaḥ: of the yogin/for the practitioner of yoga

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the teaching within the Linga Purana’s yoga context)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames why the yogin needs an unwavering support: duality-born doubt makes the mind unstable; the Linga, as the sign of Pati (Śiva), functions as a stabilizing focus for devotion and inner absorption.

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

By implication, Śiva is the non-dual ground beyond ‘both’ (ubhaya). When knowledge is mixed with opposites it cannot establish the soul; Shiva-tattva is the steady foundation in which the Pashu becomes firmly grounded.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Yogic steadiness (citta-sthairya) through withdrawing from dualistic fluctuations and taking refuge in Pati—practically supported by Linga-upāsanā (focused worship/meditation on the Linga) to overcome doubt and instability.