Shloka 10
बन्धमोक्षवर्णनम्
Bondage and Liberation: The Prakṛti–Karma Wheel and Śiva as the Transcendent Cause
चक्रकर्ता महेशो हि प्रकृतेः परतोयतः । पिबति वाथ वमति जीवन्बालो जलं यथा
cakrakartā maheśo hi prakṛteḥ paratoyataḥ | pibati vātha vamati jīvanbālo jalaṃ yathā
Mahesha alone is the maker of the cosmic cycle, for He stands beyond Prakriti (material nature). From that transcendence He absorbs the universe and again emits it—just as a living child drinks water and then spits it out.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s transcendent nature to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Jyotirlinga: Oṃkāreśvara
Sthala Purana: The imagery of absorption and emission resonates with the Oṃkāra symbolism of Śiva as the source and re-absorber of the cosmos; worship at Oṃkāreśvara is associated with realizing Śiva beyond prakṛti and the cyclic play of manifestation.
Significance: Contemplation of Śiva as the one who withdraws and re-manifests the universe supports vairāgya and surrender, orienting the pilgrim toward mokṣa.
Cosmic Event: Cyclic creation-withdrawal (sṛṣṭi–saṃhāra) implied; metaphor points to pralaya and re-manifestation without specifying a kalpa.
FAQs
It declares Shiva (Mahesha) as Pati—the Supreme Lord who is beyond Prakriti—showing that the entire cycle of manifestation and withdrawal occurs under His sovereignty, and that liberation is found by taking refuge in the Transcendent rather than in changing nature.
The Linga signifies the formless-transcendent (Nirguna) reality of Shiva that nevertheless becomes the support of all forms (Saguna). Worship of the Linga trains the mind to see the universe as emerging from Shiva and returning to Shiva, without mistaking Prakriti as ultimate.
Meditate on Shiva as beyond Prakriti while repeating the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), offering water to the Linga as a symbolic act of surrender—recognizing that all worlds are absorbed and emitted by Him alone.