Shloka 32

Devanagari script

अष्टमूर्तिर्विश्वमूर्तिस् त्रिवर्गः स्वर्गसाधनः ज्ञानगम्यो दृढप्रज्ञो देवदेवस्त्रिलोचनः

Transliteration

aṣṭamūrtirviśvamūrtis trivargaḥ svargasādhanaḥ jñānagamyo dṛḍhaprajño devadevastrilocanaḥ

Translation

Baginda ialah Aṣṭamūrti, Tuhan dengan lapan perwujudan; Viśvamūrti, rupa seluruh alam. Baginda ialah dasar bagi tiga tujuan hidup (Trivarga) dan jalan yang pasti untuk mencapai syurga. Baginda dicapai melalui pengetahuan sejati, teguh dalam kebijaksanaan sempurna—Dialah Dewa segala dewa, Yang Bermata Tiga (Trilocana) yang melihat segalanya.

Word by Word

• अष्टमूर्तिः: the eight-formed Lord (eight manifestations of Shiva)

• विश्वमूर्तिः: whose form is the universe / cosmic-bodied

• त्रिवर्गः: the three aims of life (dharma, artha, kāma) as their support

• स्वर्गसाधनः: the means to attain svarga (heaven)

• ज्ञानगम्यः: attainable through jñāna (liberating knowledge)

• दृढप्रज्ञः: firm in wisdom / unwavering intelligence

• देवदेवः: God of gods

• त्रिलोचनः: the Three-eyed Lord (seer of past, present, future

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya, within a Shiva-stuti/Sahasranama-style passage)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

By calling Shiva “Aṣṭamūrti” and “Viśvamūrti,” the verse frames the Linga as the cosmic Pati—worship of the Linga is worship of the very ground of the universe and the source of both worldly aims (trivarga) and higher fulfillment.

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

Shiva is presented as Pati: all-pervading (Viśvamūrti), manifesting as the eight forms (Aṣṭamūrti), and knowable through jñāna (jñānagamya). As Trilochana, He is the supreme knower who sees beyond pasha (bondage) and guides the pashu (soul) toward freedom.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes jñāna as the direct approach (“jñānagamya”)—a Shaiva path where Linga-puja is joined with inner discernment and steady prajñā, aligning devotion with knowledge to loosen pasha and realize Pati.