Shloka 52
उपमन्यूपदेशः
Upamanyu’s Instruction
एकेनैव मुखेनाहं वक्तुं भगवतो गुणाः । ये संति तान्न शक्नोमि ह्यपि वर्षशतैरपि
ekenaiva mukhenāhaṃ vaktuṃ bhagavato guṇāḥ | ye saṃti tānna śaknomi hyapi varṣaśatairapi
With only one mouth, I am not able to describe the Lord’s qualities as they truly are—not even if I were to speak for hundreds of years.
Suta Goswami (narrating the immeasurable glory of Lord Shiva in the Uma Samhita discourse)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Not a sthala episode; it is a standard Purāṇic topos of ananta-kalyāṇa-guṇa (infinite auspicious qualities) of Śiva, beyond finite speech.
Significance: Cultivates bhāva of humility and awe (adbhuta) in the pilgrim; encourages śravaṇa-kīrtana while acknowledging Śiva’s guṇātīta transcendence.
Type: stotra
FAQs
It teaches that Shiva (Pati) is infinite and thus cannot be fully captured by finite speech; devotion and direct realization surpass mere description, aligning with Shaiva Siddhanta’s emphasis on grace and experiential knowledge.
Since Shiva’s greatness is immeasurable, the devotee relies on Saguna supports like the Shiva Linga—an accessible, sacred focus for bhakti—while acknowledging that the reality it signifies ultimately transcends names and words.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") with humility, supported by simple Linga worship (water/abhisheka) and remembrance, accepting that sincere devotion is stronger than elaborate speech.