Shloka 34

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

Devanagari script

तावद्भवंति संसारे यावद्धाम न विंदते । विदिते तु परे तत्त्वे मुच्यते जन्मबन्धनात्

Transliteration

tāvadbhavaṃti saṃsāre yāvaddhāma na viṃdate | vidite tu pare tattve mucyate janmabandhanāt

Translation

至上の住処（シヴァのダーマ）を悟らぬかぎり、人はサンサーラをさまよう。だが最高の実在を真に知るとき、繰り返す生の束縛から解き放たれる。

Word by Word

तावत्so long

भवन्तिthey exist / remain

संसारेin the world-cycle (saṃsāra)

यावत्as long as

धामthe abode (supreme state)

नnot

विन्दतेfinds / attains

विदितेwhen known

तुbut/indeed

परेsupreme

तत्त्वेin the Reality/principle

मुच्यतेis liberated

जन्मबन्धनात्from the bondage of birth

Speaker

Lord Shiva (teaching Uma/Parvati in the Umāsaṃhitā)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Characters & Entities

Shiva

Parvati

FAQs

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

It states that bondage is sustained by non-realization of the Supreme (Śiva’s dhāma), and that true knowledge of the highest tattva—Pati, the Lord—cuts the chain of rebirth, which aligns with Shaiva Siddhanta’s emphasis on liberation through Śiva-realization and grace.

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

Linga and saguna worship function as supports for meditation and devotion that mature into direct realization of the supreme dhāma; the verse points to the culmination of worship—knowing the para-tattva beyond limitation—while honoring that devotees often approach this through Shiva’s accessible forms.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is steady Shiva-upāsanā: japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), dhyāna on the Linga as the sign of the Supreme, and purity disciplines such as Tripuṇḍra-bhasma and Rudrākṣa (where prescribed), oriented toward inner realization rather than mere outer observance.