Shloka 47

Adhyaya 70: आदिसर्गः—महत्-अहङ्कार-तन्मात्रा-भूतसृष्टिः, ब्रह्माण्डावरणम्, प्रजासर्गः, त्रिमूर्ति-शैवाधिष्ठानम्

Devanagari script

तस्मात्पञ्चगुणा भूमिः स्थूला भूतेषु शस्यते शान्ता घोराश् च मूढाश् च विशेषास्तेन ते स्मृताः

Transliteration

tasmātpañcaguṇā bhūmiḥ sthūlā bhūteṣu śasyate śāntā ghorāś ca mūḍhāś ca viśeṣāstena te smṛtāḥ

Translation

Ainsi la Terre (bhūmi), pourvue de cinq qualités, est louée parmi les éléments comme la plus grossière. Ses modes particuliers sont rappelés comme paisible (śānta), terrible (ghora) et hébété/illusionné (mūḍha) — des états distincts qui surgissent dans l’existence incarnée.

Word by Word

• tasmāt: therefore

• pañca-guṇā: possessing five qualities (sound, touch, form, taste, smell)

• bhūmiḥ: earth-element

• sthūlā: gross, dense

• bhūteṣu: among the elements

• śasyate: is praised/commended

• śāntā: peaceful, sattvic

• ghorāḥ: terrible, fierce, rajasic

• ca: and

• mūḍhāḥ: deluded, inert, tamasic

• ca: and

• viśeṣāḥ: specific modes/variations

• tena: by that/therefore

• te: those

• smṛtāḥ: are remembered/declared in tradition.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the doctrine of bhūta-tattvas within the Purva-Bhaga framework)

FAQs

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

It frames Earth as the grossest, five-qualified element—reminding the worshipper that Linga-puja begins with purifying the most tangible level of embodiment (bhūmi) so the Pashu (individual soul) can loosen Pāśa (bondage) and turn toward Pati (Shiva).

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

Indirectly: by classifying the guṇic states (śānta/ghora/mūḍha) within prakṛtic elements, it implies Shiva-tattva as the transcendent Pati beyond these fluctuations—yet capable of regulating them for creation and liberation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Bhūta-śuddhi (elemental purification) and guṇa-viveka: in Pāśupata-oriented sādhanā, one observes how earth-bound tamas (mūḍha) and rajas (ghora) are calmed into śānta steadiness, supporting mantra-japa and Linga-upāsanā.