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

ಕರ್ಮದಿಂದ ಮಾಡಿದ ಸಹಸ್ರ ಯಜ್ಞಗಳಿಗಿಂತ ತಪೋಯಜ್ಞ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ; ಸಹಸ್ರ ತಪೋಯಜ್ಞಗಳಿಗಿಂತ ಜಪಯಜ್ಞ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ—ಶಿವನಾಮ ಜಪವೇ ಪಶುಜೀವಿಗೆ ಪತಿಶಿವನ ಕಡೆಗೆ ಅಂತರ್ಮುಖ ಉಪಾಸನೆ.

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.