Shloka 12

Adhyaya 75: Nishkala–Sakala Shiva, Twofold Linga, and the Supremacy of Dhyana-Yajna

Devanagari script

अथानेनैव कर्मात्मा प्रकृतेस्तु प्रवर्तकः पुंसां तु पुरुषः श्रीमान् ज्ञानगम्यो न चान्यथा

Transliteration

athānenaiva karmātmā prakṛtestu pravartakaḥ puṃsāṃ tu puruṣaḥ śrīmān jñānagamyo na cānyathā

Translation

Ainsi, par Lui seul—le Soi même de l’acte—le mouvement de Prakṛti est mis en marche; et pour les êtres incarnés, ce Puruṣa de bon augure (le Seigneur, Pati) n’est atteignable que par la connaissance véritable, et par nul autre moyen.

Word by Word

• atha: thus/now

• anena eva: by this One alone (by Him alone)

• karma-ātmā: whose essence is action/the inner Self of all activity

• prakṛteḥ tu: of Prakṛti indeed

• pravartakaḥ: the impeller/initiator/one who sets in motion

• puṃsām tu: for beings/for souls (pashus) indeed

• puruṣaḥ: the Puruṣa, conscious Lord/inner ruler

• śrīmān: auspicious, glorious, endowed with Śrī

• jñāna-gamyaḥ: reachable/realizable through knowledge

• na ca anyathā: and not otherwise.

Speaker

Suta (narrating the teaching within the Purana to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Purusha
• Prakriti

FAQs

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

It grounds Linga worship in tattva: the Linga signifies Pati (the conscious Lord) who alone activates Prakriti; worship culminates in jñāna that reveals the inner ruler beyond mere outer ritual.

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

Shiva is indicated as the glorious Puruṣa—distinct from Prakṛti yet the one who impels it—realizable not through external means alone but through liberating knowledge that severs pasha (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes jñāna-sādhana aligned with Pāśupata orientation—inner realization of Pati through discernment of Puruṣa from Prakṛti, supported by disciplined worship and meditation.