Shloka 20

अलिङ्ग-लिङ्ग-निरूपणं तथा प्राकृत-सृष्टिवर्णनम्

Devanagari script

तन्मात्राद्भूतसर्गश् च द्विजास्त्वेवं प्रकीर्तितः स्पर्शमात्रं तथाकाशात् तस्माद्वायुर् महान्मुने

Transliteration

tanmātrādbhūtasargaś ca dvijāstvevaṃ prakīrtitaḥ sparśamātraṃ tathākāśāt tasmādvāyur mahānmune

Translation

Ô sages deux fois nés, ainsi est proclamée l’émanation des éléments grossiers à partir des essences subtiles. De ākāśa naît le sparśa-tanmātra, principe subtil du toucher ; de lui, ô grand muni, surgit vāyu, le vent — déploiement ordonné sous la souveraineté cosmique de Śiva, Pati de tout devenir.

Word by Word

• तन्मात्रात्: from the tanmātra (subtle element)

• भूतसर्गः: creation/emanation of the bhūtas (gross elements)

• च: and

• द्विजाः: O twice-born (Brahmin sages)

• तु: indeed

• एवं: thus

• प्रकीर्तितः: has been proclaimed/declared

• स्पर्शमात्रम्: the mere principle of touch (sparśa-tanmātra)

• तथा: likewise/then

• आकाशात्: from ākāśa (ether/space)

• तस्मात्: from that

• वायुः: wind/air

• महान्: great

• मुने: O sage

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It grounds Linga worship in Shaiva cosmology: the Linga signifies Pati (Śiva) as the source and regulator of tattvas, so worship aligns the devotee (paśu) with the cosmic order behind the elements.

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

Though describing elemental evolution, it implies Śiva-tattva as the transcendent Pati who presides over and permits the unfolding from subtle tanmātras to gross bhūtas—creation occurs within His sovereignty, not independently.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Tattva-viveka (discernment of principles) is implied: in Pāśupata-oriented practice, contemplation of tanmātra-to-bhūta evolution supports disidentification from the elements (pāśa) and steadies awareness toward Pati (Śiva).