Shloka 53

Devanagari script

ज्योतिषं चापरा विद्या पराक्षरमिति स्थितम् तददृश्यं तदग्राह्यम् अगोत्रं तदवर्णकम्

Transliteration

jyotiṣaṃ cāparā vidyā parākṣaramiti sthitam tadadṛśyaṃ tadagrāhyam agotraṃ tadavarṇakam

Translation

Jyotiṣa (ilmu perbintangan) dihitung sebagai pengetahuan rendah (aparā-vidyā); namun Parākṣara, Yang Maha Tidak Binasa, berdiri melampauinya. Hakikat itu tidak terlihat dan tidak dapat digenggam; tidak berketurunan dan tidak dapat ditentukan dengan huraian—demikianlah sifat Pati, Śiva, melampaui segala kategori yang terikat oleh pāśa.

Word by Word

• jyotiṣam: astrology/astral science

• ca: and

• aparā: lower (non-liberating)

• vidyā: knowledge/discipline

• parākṣaram: the Supreme Imperishable (highest Reality)

• iti: thus

• sthitam: is established/is held to be

• tat: that (Reality)

• adṛśyam: unseen/invisible

• tat: that

• agrāhyam: ungraspable/not apprehended by senses or mind

• agotram: without gotra/lineage

• tat: that

• avarṇakam: indescribable/without defining marks or classification

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 grounds Linga-upāsanā in para-vidyā: the Linga points to Śiva as Parākṣara—beyond sensory grasp—so worship is meant to dissolve pasha (bondage) rather than merely predict or control worldly outcomes.

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

Śiva is presented as the Supreme Imperishable—adṛśya (unseen), agrāhya (ungraspable), agotra (beyond lineage), and avarṇaka (indescribable)—the transcendent Pati who is not confined to names, forms, or social/ritual classifications.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse prioritizes jñāna-oriented upāsanā aligned with Pāśupata discipline: turning from apara pursuits to contemplation of the Parākṣara, using Linga worship as a support for inner detachment and liberation of the paśu.