Shloka 15

ययातिना पूरौ राज्याभिषेकः, दिक्प्रदानं, तृष्णा-वैराग्योपदेशः, वनप्रवेशः च

Devanagari script

अत्र गाथा महाराज्ञा पुरा गीता ययातिना याभिः प्रत्याहरेत् कामान् सर्वतो ऽङ्गानि कूर्मवत्

Transliteration

atra gāthā mahārājñā purā gītā yayātinā yābhiḥ pratyāharet kāmān sarvato 'ṅgāni kūrmavat

Translation

Voici une antique gāthā chantée jadis par le grand roi Yayāti ; par elle, l’on doit retirer les élans du désir, ramener les sens et les membres de toutes parts comme la tortue, et ainsi affermir le pashu (l’âme individuelle) vers le Pati, Śiva.

Word by Word

• atra: here

• gāthā: verse/ancient stanza

• mahārājñā: by the great king

• purā: formerly/long ago

• gītā: sung/uttered

• yayātinā: by Yayāti

• yābhiḥ: by which (teachings/verses)

• pratyāharet: should withdraw/draw back

• kāmān: desires/sense-objects

• sarvataḥ: from all sides/everywhere

• aṅgāni: limbs/senses

• kūrmavat: like a tortoise

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating, citing King Yayati’s gatha)

Characters & Entities

• Yayati
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga worship as inner discipline: withdrawing the senses (pratyāhāra) so the mind becomes fit for Śiva-dhyāna and Liṅga-upāsanā, rather than being dragged outward by kāma.

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

Śiva-tattva is implied as the Pati—steady, inwardly realized, and approached through turning the pashu away from pasha (sense-bondage) toward contemplative stillness.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Pratyāhāra (sense-withdrawal), a core limb of yogic practice aligned with Pāśupata orientation—restraining kāma and gathering the senses inward like a tortoise.