Shloka 141

ध्यानयज्ञः, संसार-विष-निरूपणम्, पाशुपतयोगः, परा-अपरा विद्या, चतुर्वस्था-विचारः (अध्यायः ८६)

Devanagari script

दधाति भूमिराकाशम् अवकाशं ददाति च तदाज्ञया ततं सर्वं तस्माद्वै चिन्तयेद्द्विजाः

Transliteration

dadhāti bhūmirākāśam avakāśaṃ dadāti ca tadājñayā tataṃ sarvaṃ tasmādvai cintayeddvijāḥ

Translation

ഭൂമി ആകാശത്തെ ധരിക്കുന്നു; ജീവികൾക്ക് വസിക്കാനുള്ള അവകാശവും നൽകുന്നു; എങ്കിലും ഇതെല്ലാം അവന്റെ ആജ്ഞയാൽ മാത്രമേ വ്യാപിച്ചു ക്രമീകരിക്കപ്പെട്ടിട്ടുള്ളൂ. അതിനാൽ, ഹേ ദ്വിജന്മാരേ, ആ പരമ പതി ശിവനെ ധ്യാനിക്കുവിൻ.

Word by Word

• dadhāti: upholds/sustains

• bhūmiḥ: the earth

• ākāśam: the sky/space

• avakāśam: room/space/interval

• dadāti: gives

• ca: and

• tat-ājñayā: by His command (Shiva’s ordinance)

• tatam: pervaded/spread out

• sarvam: all (the universe)

• tasmāt: therefore

• vai: indeed

• cintayet: one should contemplate/meditate upon

• dvijāḥ: O twice-born (brahmins/initiates)

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 frames the Linga as Shiva’s all-pervading reality: even elemental supports like earth and space function under His ājñā, so Linga-puja becomes contemplation of the cosmic Pati who sustains all.

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

Shiva is presented as the sovereign principle whose command orders and pervades the universe—transcending the elements while also being their inner regulator (antaryāmin), the Pati over all.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Dhyāna (contemplative meditation) is emphasized—cintayet—pointing to a Pashupata-oriented discipline where the pashu focuses on Pati to loosen pasha (bondage).