Shloka 46
Dehāśucitā-vicāraḥ
Inquiry into the Impurity of the Body
ये सत्यस्मिच्छिवे ज्ञाने सर्वकामार्थ साधने । न कुर्वन्त्यात्मनः श्रेयस्तदत्र महदद्भुतम्
ye satyasmicchive jñāne sarvakāmārtha sādhane | na kurvantyātmanaḥ śreyastadatra mahadadbhutam
Even when the true knowledge of Śiva—able to fulfill every rightful desire and human aim—is available, some do not pursue their own highest good; this indeed is a great wonder here.
Lord Shiva (teaching in Umāsaṃhitā’s philosophical discourse)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights the central Shaiva insight that Śiva-jñāna is the sure means to śreyas (the highest good, tending toward liberation), and calls it “astonishing” that people ignore it even when it is available.
In Shaiva practice, Saguna worship—especially Śiva-liṅga pūjā—purifies the mind and makes Śiva-jñāna accessible; the verse critiques neglecting that accessible path which leads from devotion and ritual into liberating knowledge.
A practical takeaway is steady Śiva-upāsanā: japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with daily liṅga worship (optionally with bhasma and rudrākṣa) to redirect life from mere kāma/artha toward śreyas.