Shloka 2

Brahmā’s Yogic Vision of Sadyōjāta in the Śvetalohita Kalpa

Devanagari script

अघोरं च तथेशानं यथावद्वक्तुमर्हसि सूत उवाच एकोनत्रिंशकः कल्पो विज्ञेयः श्वेतलोहितः

Transliteration

aghoraṃ ca tatheśānaṃ yathāvadvaktumarhasi sūta uvāca ekonatriṃśakaḥ kalpo vijñeyaḥ śvetalohitaḥ

Translation

“Aghora dan demikian pula Īśāna—jelaskanlah dengan tepat sebagaimana patut.” Sūta berkata: “Ketahuilah, ini adalah Kalpa ke-29, yang dikenal sebagai Śveta-lohita.”

Word by Word

• अघोरम् (aghoraṃ): Aghora (the non-terrifying, grace-bestowing aspect of Rudra)

• च (ca): and

• तथा (tathā): likewise

• ईशानम् (īśānam): Īśāna (the sovereign, upward/five-faced aspect of Śiva)

• यथावत् (yathāvat): correctly, in due order

• वक्तुम् (vaktum): to speak, to explain

• अर्हसि (arhasi): you are fit/able (please do)

• सूत उवाच (sūta uvāca): Sūta said

• एकोनत्रिंशकः (ekonatriṃśakaḥ): the twenty-ninth

• कल्पः (kalpaḥ): aeon, cosmic cycle

• विज्ञेयः (vijñeyaḥ): to be known/understood

• श्वेतलोहितः (śvetalohitaḥ): Śveta-lohita (the “white-and-red” named Kalpa/epithet, associated with Rudra’s manifestation).

Speaker

Suta (responding to the sages’ request; the first half reflects the sages’ question)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Rudra)
• Aghora
• Ishana
• Sveta-lohita (Rudra/Kalpa designation)

FAQs

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

It sets the doctrinal frame: Linga-upāsanā is grounded in knowing Śiva’s specific aspects (Aghora, Īśāna) and their cosmic timing (Kalpa), linking worship to the right theological vision of Pati.

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

By naming Aghora and Īśāna, it points to Śiva as both benevolent-transcendent (Aghora, removing fear and pāśa) and sovereign-lordly (Īśāna, the ruling Pati), whose manifestations are recognized within cosmic cycles.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A contemplative practice is implied: dhyāna on specific Rudra-aspects (Aghora/Īśāna) as part of mantra-japa and inner alignment in Pāśupata-oriented Śaiva sādhanā, even though no external pūjā-vidhi is detailed in this verse.