Shloka 35

अलिङ्ग-लिङ्ग-निरूपणं तथा प्राकृत-सृष्टिवर्णनम्

Devanagari script

लयश्चैव तथान्योन्यम् आन्द्यन्तम् इति कीर्तितम् सर्गस्य प्रतिसर्गस्य स्थितेः कर्ता महेश्वरः

Transliteration

layaścaiva tathānyonyam āndyantam iti kīrtitam sargasya pratisargasya sthiteḥ kartā maheśvaraḥ

Translation

La dissolution (laya), l’interdépendance mutuelle, ainsi que le commencement et la fin, sont ainsi proclamés. Mahēśvara est l’agent de la création (sarga), de la recréation (pratisarga) et du maintien (sthiti).

Word by Word

• लयः (layaḥ): dissolution/withdrawal

• च एव (ca eva): and indeed

• तथा (tathā): likewise

• अन्योन्यम् (anyonyam): mutuality/interdependence

• आन्द्यन्तम् (āndyantam): beginning and end (ādi–anta)

• इति (iti): thus

• कीर्तितम् (kīrtitam): proclaimed/declared

• सर्गस्य (sargasya): of creation

• प्रतिसर्गस्य (pratisargasya): of secondary creation/re-creation

• स्थितेः (sthiteḥ): of sustenance/maintenance

• कर्ता (kartā): doer/agent

• महेश्वरः (maheśvaraḥ): Maheshvara (Śiva as the Supreme Lord)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Maheshvara

FAQs

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

It establishes Maheshvara as the supreme agent behind creation, re-creation, and sustenance; therefore Linga worship is directed to the transcendent Pati who governs all cosmic functions, not merely a localized deity.

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

Shiva-tattva is presented as sovereign agency (kartṛtva): Maheshvara presides over sarga, pratisarga, and sthiti, while also encompassing laya and the polarity of beginning-and-end—showing Him as the ground of all cycles and their resolution.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse points more to tattva-jñāna than a specific rite: in Pashupata-oriented practice, contemplation of Shiva as Pati over sṛṣṭi–sthiti–laya supports detachment from pasha (bondage) and steadies meditation on the Linga as the cosmic axis.