Shloka 32

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

Devanagari script

अर्चयन्ति मुहुः केचित् सदा सकलनिष्कलम् सर्वज्ञं हृदये केचिच् छिवलिङ्गे विभावसौ

Transliteration

arcayanti muhuḥ kecit sadā sakalaniṣkalam sarvajñaṃ hṛdaye kecic chivaliṅge vibhāvasau

Translation

ある者は、常に有相（サカラ）にして無相（ニシュカラ）なる全知の主を、たびたび礼拝する。ある者は心中に全知のシヴァを観想し、またある者は聖なる火（アグニ）の中にシヴァ・リンガとして彼を供養する。

Word by Word

• अर्चयन्ति: they worship

• मुहुः: repeatedly, again and again

• केचित्: some

• सदा: always

• सकलनिष्कलम्: possessing aspects both manifest (with form) and unmanifest (formless)

• सर्वज्ञम्: the all-knowing (omniscient Lord)

• हृदये: in the heart

• केचित्: some

• शिवलिङ्गे: in/through the Shiva-Linga

• विभावसौ: in Vibhāvasu, i.e., Agni (the sacrificial fire)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana teaching on Shiva-worship to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Agni

FAQs

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

It validates multiple orthodox approaches—external Linga-puja, Vedic fire-offering centered on Shiva, and inner heart-meditation—showing that the Linga can be approached both ritually and contemplatively.

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

Shiva is presented as sakala-niṣkala: the Pati who can be realized as manifest (through symbols like the Linga and ritual fire) and as unmanifest (as the formless reality contemplated within).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritually, it points to worship in Agni and in the Shiva-Linga; yogically, it highlights hṛdaya-dhyāna—internal contemplation of Shiva in the heart, aligning with Pashupata-style inward realization of Pati beyond pāśa.