Shloka 41

Adhyaya 8: Yogasthanas, Ashtanga Yoga, Pranayama-Siddhi, and Shiva-Dhyana leading to Samadhi

Devanagari script

शिवज्ञानं गुरोर्भक्तिर् अचला सुप्रतिष्ठिता निग्रहो ह्यपहृत्याशु प्रसक्तानीन्द्रियाणि च

Transliteration

śivajñānaṃ gurorbhaktir acalā supratiṣṭhitā nigraho hyapahṛtyāśu prasaktānīndriyāṇi ca

Translation

El conocimiento firme de Śiva y la devoción al Guru, inamovible y bien establecida—junto con el autodominio, retirando con prontitud los sentidos que se precipitan hacia sus objetos—esa es la disciplina que conduce al paśu (alma ligada) hacia Pati (el Señor).

Word by Word

• शिवज्ञानम् (śivajñānam): knowledge/realization of Śiva

• गुरोः (guroḥ): of the Guru

• भक्तिः (bhaktiḥ): devotion

• अचला (acalā): unmoving, unwavering

• सुप्रतिष्ठिता (supratiṣṭhitā): firmly established

• निग्रहः (nigrahaḥ): restraint, control

• हि (hi): indeed

• अपहृत्य (apahṛtya): having drawn back/withdrawn

• आशु (āśu): quickly

• प्रसक्तानि (prasaktāni): attached, rushing toward (objects)

• इन्द्रियाणि (indriyāṇi): senses

• च (ca): and

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shaiva discipline within the Purva-Bhaga teaching flow)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Guru

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It frames Linga-worship as more than outer ritual: true pūjā matures through Śiva-jñāna, firm Guru-bhakti, and indriya-nigraha (withdrawing the senses), which purifies the paśu and makes worship effective.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Śiva-tattva is approached as direct realization (jñāna) rather than mere belief; the verse implies Śiva is the Pati attainable when the paśu loosens pāśa by disciplined restraint and Guru-guided devotion.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A yogic discipline akin to pratyāhāra and dama: swiftly withdrawing the senses from their attachments, supported by unwavering devotion to the Guru and contemplation of Śiva.