Shloka 47

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

Devanagari script

नीचो द्वादशमात्रस्तु उद्धातो द्वादशः स्मृतः मध्यमस् तु द्विरुद्धातश् चतुर्विंशतिमात्रकः

Transliteration

nīco dvādaśamātrastu uddhāto dvādaśaḥ smṛtaḥ madhyamas tu dviruddhātaś caturviṃśatimātrakaḥ

Translation

El Liṅga ‘bajo’ (corto) es de doce mātrās; el ‘elevado’ (más alto) también se recuerda como de doce. El tipo ‘medio’, en cambio, es el doble de la medida elevada—veinticuatro mātrās—apto para un culto ordenado que aquieta al paśu (alma ligada) y lo vuelve hacia Pati (Śiva).

Word by Word

• नीचः (nīcaḥ): low/short (type)

• द्वादश (dvādaśa): twelve

• मात्रः/मात्रकः (mātraḥ/mātrakaḥ): a unit of measure

• तु (tu): indeed

• उद्धातः (uddhātaḥ): raised/elevated (type)

• स्मृतः (smṛtaḥ): is remembered/declared

• मध्यमः (madhyamaḥ): middle/medium (type)

• द्वि (dvi): twice

• उद्धातः (uddhātaḥ): the raised measure/type

• चतुर्विंशति (caturviṃśati): twenty-four

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It standardizes Linga types by mātrā-measure, helping ensure that installation and daily pūjā follow śāstric proportion—an essential foundation for effective, orderly Śaiva worship.

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

By treating the Linga as a precisely measured, worship-worthy form, the verse implies Śiva’s immanence in a consecrated symbol—accessible to the pashu through regulated ritual while remaining the transcendent Pati.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Pūjā-vidhi connected to pratimā/linga-māna (iconic measurement): correct proportion supports steadiness of mind and disciplined devotion, aligning with the preparatory ethos of Pāśupata-oriented practice.