Shloka 3
पञ्चकृत्यलक्षणनिर्णयः
Definition of Śiva’s Five Cosmic Acts—Pañcakṛtya
सर्गः संसारसंरंभस्तत्प्रतिष्ठा स्थितिर्मता । संहारो मर्दनं तस्य तिरोभावस्तदुत्क्रमः
sargaḥ saṃsārasaṃraṃbhastatpratiṣṭhā sthitirmatā | saṃhāro mardanaṃ tasya tirobhāvastadutkramaḥ
Creation is the bringing forth of worldly existence; its establishment is known as sustenance. Dissolution is the crushing— the withdrawal of that manifested world; and concealment (tirobhāva) is its veiling, its retreat from clear manifestation.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
It defines key cosmic operations—creation, maintenance, dissolution, and veiling—showing that the universe’s appearing and disappearing occur under Shiva’s lordship, and that bondage persists when reality is veiled (tirobhāva).
The Linga is worshipped as the visible sign of the Lord who performs these cosmic functions; Saguna Shiva is approached as the compassionate ruler who manifests, sustains, withdraws, and conceals the world, leading the devotee toward insight beyond the veil.
Meditate on Shiva as the inner Lord behind all arising and dissolving, and stabilize the mind with japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to pierce tirobhāva (the veiling) and orient toward liberation.