Shloka 13

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

Devanagari script

कर्मयज्ञसहस्रेभ्यस् तपोयज्ञो विशिष्यते तपोयज्ञसहस्रेभ्यो जपयज्ञो विशिष्यते

Transliteration

karmayajñasahasrebhyas tapoyajño viśiṣyate tapoyajñasahasrebhyo japayajño viśiṣyate

Translation

Plus que mille sacrifices d’action (karma-yajña), le sacrifice d’austérité (tapo-yajña) est supérieur; et plus que mille sacrifices d’austérité, le sacrifice de japa—la répétition du Nom divin, surtout celui de Śiva—est supérieur. Ainsi, pour le paśu (l’âme liée), le culte intérieur par le mantra devient le moyen le plus direct vers Śiva (Pati).

Word by Word

• karma-yajña-sahasrebhyaḥ: than thousands of action-based sacrifices

• tapaḥ-yajñaḥ: the sacrifice in the form of austerity

• viśiṣyate: is superior/excels

• tapaḥ-yajña-sahasrebhyaḥ: than thousands of austerity-sacrifices

• japa-yajñaḥ: the sacrifice in the form of mantra-repetition (japa)

• viśiṣyate: is superior/excels

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It prioritizes inner worship (mānasa-yajña) through Śiva-mantra japa over external ritual, implying that true Liṅga-pūjā culminates in concentrated remembrance and mantra-offering to the Pati (Śiva).

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

By making japa the highest yajña, the verse points to Śiva as directly approachable through nāma/mantra—transcending mere external acts—so the paśu can move from bondage (pāśa) toward Śiva-consciousness.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Japa-yajña—repetitive recitation of Śiva-mantras (with focus, purity, and steadiness), aligning with Pāśupata-oriented inner discipline where mantra becomes the primary offering.