Shloka 38

अलिङ्ग-लिङ्ग-निरूपणं तथा प्राकृत-सृष्टिवर्णनम्

Devanagari script

सदाशिवो भवो विष्णुर् ब्रह्मा सर्वात्मको यतः एकदण्डे तथा लोका इमे कर्ता पितामहः

Transliteration

sadāśivo bhavo viṣṇur brahmā sarvātmako yataḥ ekadaṇḍe tathā lokā ime kartā pitāmahaḥ

Translation

Parce que le Suprême—Sadāśiva—demeure comme le Soi le plus intime de tous, on Le désigne comme Bhava, comme Viṣṇu et comme Brahmā. De cet unique principe souverain (un seul sceptre de règne) procèdent ces mondes ; ainsi le Grand-Père (Brahmā), créateur cosmique, est établi comme leur artisan dans Son ordonnance.

Word by Word

• सदाशिवः: Sadāśiva, the Supreme auspicious Lord

• भवः: Bhava, Shiva as Lord of becoming

• विष्णुः: Viṣṇu, the all-pervading preserver-form

• ब्रह्मा: Brahmā, the creator-form

• सर्वात्मको: the Self of all, indwelling essence

• यतः: because/from whom

• एकदण्डे: in/under the single staff (one rule, one authority, one principle)

• तथा: thus/indeed

• लोकाः: worlds

• इमे: these

• कर्ता: maker/agent of creation

• पितामहः: Pitāmaha, the Grandfather (Brahmā)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Sadashiva
• Shiva (Bhava)
• Vishnu
• Brahma (Pitamaha)

FAQs

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

It grounds Linga worship in the doctrine that the one Sadāśiva is the inner Self and sovereign ruler behind all cosmic functions—creation, preservation, and dissolution—so the Linga is revered as the single supreme reality (Pati) manifesting through all forms.

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

Shiva-tattva is presented as Sarvātman—indwelling all beings and even the Trimūrti—so that “Brahmā” and “Viṣṇu” are functional designations within His lordship, not independent ultimate principles.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse primarily highlights yogic insight: recognizing the one inner ruler (ekadaṇḍa) as Sadāśiva within all. In Pāśupata-oriented practice, this supports contemplation (dhyāna) on the Linga as the seat of the indwelling Pati who loosens pasha for the pashu (soul).