Shloka 6

Kāla-vañcana (Overcoming/Outwitting Time) and the Pañcabhūta Basis of the Body

Devanagari script

आकाशस्तु ततो व्यापी सर्वेषां सर्वगः स्थितः । आकाशे तु विलीयंते संभवंति पुनस्ततः

Transliteration

ākāśastu tato vyāpī sarveṣāṃ sarvagaḥ sthitaḥ | ākāśe tu vilīyaṃte saṃbhavaṃti punastataḥ

Translation

Thereafter, Ākāśa (space/ether) is the all-pervading principle, present everywhere and abiding in all. Into Ākāśa beings dissolve, and from that they arise again—according to the Lord’s cosmic order.

Word by Word

• घोषम्: sound / Ghoṣa (name)
• घोषम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: घोष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative), एकवचनम्

• कांस्यम्: bronze / Kāṃsya (name)
• कांस्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कांस्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative), एकवचनम्

• तथा: and also
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण/समुच्चयार्थक (adverb/conjunctive)

• शृङ्गम्: horn / Śṛṅga (name)
• शृङ्गम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शृङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative), एकवचनम्

• घण्टाम्: bell / Ghaṇṭā (name)
• घण्टाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: घण्टा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative), एकवचनम्

• वीणा: lute / Vīṇā (name)
• वीणा: Karta or List-item (अनिर्णीत/सूची)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीणा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (Nominative), एकवचनम्; (पाठभेदे द्वितीया ‘वीणाम्’ अपेक्ष्यते)

• दिवंशजान्: those born of a divine portion
• दिवंशजान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिवम् (प्रातिपदिक) + अंश (प्रातिपदिक) + ज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative), बहुवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (दिवम्-अंश-जा = ‘born from a portion of heaven/divinity’)

Speaker

Lord Shiva (as the philosophical teacher in Umāsaṃhitā, instructing Umā/Devī)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Supports contemplation on dissolution (laya) and re-emergence under divine order; encourages non-attachment and trust in Śiva’s governance of cycles.

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: cyclic dissolution and re-manifestation (laya-sṛṣṭi cycle)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It presents a key cosmic rhythm: manifestation arises, dissolves, and arises again within the subtle expanse of ākāśa—pointing the seeker toward the deeper truth that all change occurs within a higher, sustaining reality, ultimately grounded in Shiva as Pati (the Lord).

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

The Linga symbolizes the all-pervading support of existence: just as all beings dissolve into and arise from the subtle field, Saguna Shiva is worshiped as the accessible form of that all-pervading ground, leading the mind toward Shiva’s transcendence beyond the tattvas.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditate on Shiva as vyāpaka (all-pervading) while repeating the Panchakshara—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—contemplating the arising and dissolving of thoughts into inner space (citta-ākāśa), supported by Tripuṇḍra and Rudrāksha if practiced in your tradition.