Shloka 54
संयोगश्च तयोश्चेत्स्यात्काशीजन्यफलं वृथा । यदि न स्यात्तयोर्योगस्तीर्थराजफलं वृथा
saṃyogaśca tayoścetsyātkāśījanyaphalaṃ vṛthā | yadi na syāttayoryogastīrtharājaphalaṃ vṛthā
If there is only a mere conjunction of the two, then the fruit said to arise from Kāśī becomes futile. And if there is no true union of the two, then the fruit of the ‘King of Tīrthas’ also becomes futile.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: The verse contrasts mere ‘saṃyoga’ (external conjunction) with true ‘yoga’ (integrative union), implying that pilgrimage fruits depend on inner alignment—otherwise even Kāśī or the ‘King of Tīrthas’ (Prayāga) yields fruitless results.
Significance: Teaches that tīrtha-phala is not mechanical: without inner yoga (right intention, devotion, transformation), external contact becomes vṛthā; aligns with Siddhānta stress on purification and Śiva’s grace beyond mere ritualism.
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse stresses that sacred results are not gained by external proximity alone; the real fruit comes from authentic inner ‘yoga’—a sincere, Shaiva-oriented union of the seeker with Lord Shiva through devotion and right understanding.
It implies that Linga-worship must be more than physical presence at a holy site; the pilgrim should approach Saguna Shiva with bhakti, purity, and meditative absorption, so that the outer tīrtha and inner realization coincide.
Perform tīrtha-visit and Linga-pūjā together with japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and steady meditation, so the pilgrimage becomes ‘yoga’ rather than mere ‘saṃyoga’ (external contact).