Shloka 74

एकार्णव-सृष्टिक्रमः, ब्रह्म-विष्णु-परस्परप्रवेशः, शिवस्य आगमनं च

Devanagari script

भवान् योनिरहं बीजं कथं बीजी महेश्वरः एतन्मे सूक्ष्ममव्यक्तं संशयं छेत्तुमर्हसि

Transliteration

bhavān yonirahaṃ bījaṃ kathaṃ bījī maheśvaraḥ etanme sūkṣmamavyaktaṃ saṃśayaṃ chettumarhasi

Translation

Engkau ialah yoni (rahim), dan aku ialah bīja (benih)—maka bagaimana Maheśvara dikatakan sebagai Pemangku Benih? Hal ini halus dan belum tersingkap bagiku; Engkau layak memutuskan keraguanku.

Word by Word

• bhavān: you

• yoniḥ: womb/source-field

• aham: I

• bījam: seed/causal principle

• katham: how

• bījī: the one who possesses/bears the seed

• maheśvaraḥ: Maheśvara (the Great Lord, Śiva)

• etat: this

• me: for me/to me

• sūkṣmam: subtle

• avyaktam: unmanifest/imperceptible

• saṃśayam: doubt

• chettum: to cut/remove

• arhasi: you are fit/ought (to do)

Speaker

Brahma (inquiring within Suta’s narration)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma
• Shakti

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It frames Linga symbolism as the transcendent causal ground: beyond merely “seed” and “womb,” Śiva (Pati) is the source in whom both principles are resolved, guiding devotees to worship the Linga as the unmanifest origin of manifestation.

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

By questioning how Maheśvara can be ‘bījī,’ the verse points to Śiva-tattva as paradox-transcending: not limited to a single generative role, but the supreme reality in which Śakti (yoni) and the causal seed (bīja) are integrated without contradiction.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse primarily highlights tattva-vicāra (metaphysical inquiry) central to Pāśupata-oriented contemplation—using subtle reflection on avyakta causality to loosen pāśa (bondage) and orient the paśu (soul) toward Pati (Śiva).