Shloka 24

Kāla-vañcana (Overcoming/Outwitting Time) and the Pañcabhūta Basis of the Body

Devanagari script

सुश्वासेन सुशय्यायां योगं युंजीत योगवित् । दीपं विनांधकारे तु प्रजाः सुप्तेषु धारयेत्

Transliteration

suśvāsena suśayyāyāṃ yogaṃ yuṃjīta yogavit | dīpaṃ vināṃdhakāre tu prajāḥ supteṣu dhārayet

Translation

Le connaisseur du Yoga doit s’adonner à la discipline yogique, reposant sur une couche convenable, en réglant le souffle avec aisance. Et dans l’obscurité, sans lampe, il doit soutenir et protéger les êtres vivants lorsqu’ils dorment.

Word by Word

• सु-श्वासेन: with good/steady breathing
• सु-श्वासेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सु (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + श्वास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/3rd), एकवचन; समासः कर्मधारयः (सु + श्वासः)

• सु-शय्यायाम्: on a good bed/seat
• सु-शय्यायाम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सु (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + शय्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण/7th), एकवचन; समासः कर्मधारयः

• योगम्: yoga (practice)
• योगम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/2nd), एकवचन

• युञ्जीत: should practice/apply
• युञ्जीत: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: युज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• योग-वित्: knower of yoga
• योग-वित्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योग (प्रातिपदिक) + विद् (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक ‘वित्’)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता/1st), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (योगस्य वित् = योगवित्)

• दीपम्: a lamp
• दीपम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/2nd), एकवचन

• विना: without
• विना: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निर्देश)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विना (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपपद (preposition) — ‘without’ (सहसा तृतीया/पञ्चमी-संबन्धः)

• अन्धकारे: in darkness
• अन्धकारे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्धकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण/7th), एकवचन

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle) — contrast/emphasis

• प्रजाः: beings/creatures
• प्रजाः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रजा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/2nd), बहुवचन

• सुप्तेषु: when (they are) asleep / among the sleeping
• सुप्तेषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुप्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √स्वप्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे (प्रजासु सति—सप्तमी बहुवचन), सप्तमी (अधिकरण/7th), बहुवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त)

• धारयेत्: should maintain/hold (in mind)
• धारयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Shiva (teaching Umā/Parvati in the Umāsaṃhitā)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It links inner discipline (regulated breath and yogic steadiness) with outer dharma (protecting beings), showing that Shaiva Yoga is not escapism but a compassionate, sustaining way of life under Shiva’s guidance.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

Worship of Saguna Shiva (as teacher and protector) is expressed through yogic restraint and the vow to uphold life; Linga-worship is validated not only by rites but by the devotee’s steadiness and protective conduct aligned with Shiva’s nature as Pati (Lord) who sustains all.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests gentle pranayama with mindful rest and a yogic lifestyle of vigilance; as a Shaiva takeaway, combine meditation with ethical care—supporting others—alongside regular japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) where applicable.