Shloka 45
Śiva–Arjuna Yuddha and the Subjugation of Pride (Śiva-parīkṣā)
गुणानान्ते न संख्यास्ति यथा भूरजसामिह । आकाशे तारकाणां हि कणानां वृष्ट्यपामपि
guṇānānte na saṃkhyāsti yathā bhūrajasāmiha | ākāśe tārakāṇāṃ hi kaṇānāṃ vṛṣṭyapāmapi
പ്രഭുവിന്റെ ഗുണങ്ങൾക്ക് അന്തമില്ല; അവയുടെ എണ്ണം കണക്കാക്കാനാവില്ല. ഭൂമിയിലെ ധൂളികണങ്ങൾ, ആകാശത്തിലെ നക്ഷത്രങ്ങൾ, മഴയിലെ ജലബിന്ദുക്കൾ പോലെ എല്ലാം അഗണ്യം.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: General stuti: Śiva’s guṇas/attributes are ananta (endless), illustrated by dust, stars, and raindrops—cosmic-scale praise rather than site-specific legend.
Significance: Cultivates mahimā-jñāna (sense of divine greatness), a bhakti support that weakens egoic limitation (aṇava) and prepares receptivity to anugraha.
Mantra: गुणानान्ते न संख्यास्ति यथा भूरजसामिह । आकाशे तारकाणां हि कणानां वृष्ट्यपामपि
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that Shiva’s divine attributes are immeasurable; recognizing their infinity humbles the ego and turns the mind toward bhakti and surrender, which Shaiva tradition holds to be a direct aid to liberation.
The verse supports Saguna worship by affirming that Shiva’s manifest qualities and forms are countless; the Linga becomes a focused, accessible symbol through which devotees contemplate that limitless greatness.
Japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) while mentally enumerating Shiva’s guṇas—compassion, lordship, grace—helps stabilize devotion; offering bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) or water to the Linga can be paired with this contemplation.