Shloka 24
Arjuna’s Mantra-Empowerment and the Pāṇḍavas’ Separation (Śiva-rūpa through Mantra)
गतागतैर्दिनानां हि कार्यभारैरनेकशः । आयुश्च क्षीयते नित्यं न जानाति ह तत्पुनः
gatāgatairdinānāṃ hi kāryabhārairanekaśaḥ | āyuśca kṣīyate nityaṃ na jānāti ha tatpunaḥ
ദിവസങ്ങൾ വരികയും പോകികയും ചെയ്യുമ്പോൾ, അനവധി കാര്യഭാരങ്ങളാൽ വീണ്ടും വീണ്ടും അമർന്നു, ആയുസ്സ് നിത്യം ക്ഷയിക്കുന്നു; എങ്കിലും അവൻ അതിനെ യഥാർത്ഥത്തിൽ തിരിച്ചറിയുന്നില്ല.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva Purana teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It warns against pramāda (spiritual heedlessness): while one remains absorbed in endless duties, time silently consumes life. Shaiva teaching urges turning awareness toward Shiva (Pati) so that diminishing time becomes a path to detachment and liberation rather than mere loss.
The Linga is the steady focus amid changing days and shifting obligations. By anchoring the mind in Saguna Shiva through Linga-puja, one counters distraction and remembers the impermanence of life, redirecting action into Shiva-arpana (offering to Shiva).
Daily japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with brief Linga-abhiṣeka or mental worship is implied as the practical antidote—transforming routine duties into remembrance, supported by simple disciplines like vibhūti (Tripuṇḍra) and Rudrākṣa where appropriate.