Shloka 41

Adhyaya 8: Yogasthanas, Ashtanga Yoga, Pranayama-Siddhi, and Shiva-Dhyana leading to Samadhi

Devanagari script

शिवज्ञानं गुरोर्भक्तिर् अचला सुप्रतिष्ठिता निग्रहो ह्यपहृत्याशु प्रसक्तानीन्द्रियाणि च

Transliteration

śivajñānaṃ gurorbhaktir acalā supratiṣṭhitā nigraho hyapahṛtyāśu prasaktānīndriyāṇi ca

Translation

ଶିବଜ୍ଞାନ ଦୃଢ଼ ହେବା, ଗୁରୁଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ଅଚଳ ଓ ସୁପ୍ରତିଷ୍ଠିତ ଭକ୍ତି, ଏବଂ ନିଗ୍ରହ—ବିଷୟ ଦିଗକୁ ଧାଉଥିବା ଇନ୍ଦ୍ରିୟମାନଙ୍କୁ ଶୀଘ୍ର ପ୍ରତ୍ୟାହାର କରିବା—ଏହି ସାଧନା ହିଁ ପଶୁକୁ ପତି (ଶିବ) ଦିଗକୁ ନେଇଯାଏ।

Word by Word

• शिवज्ञानम् (śivajñānam): knowledge/realization of Śiva

• गुरोः (guroḥ): of the Guru

• भक्तिः (bhaktiḥ): devotion

• अचला (acalā): unmoving, unwavering

• सुप्रतिष्ठिता (supratiṣṭhitā): firmly established

• निग्रहः (nigrahaḥ): restraint, control

• हि (hi): indeed

• अपहृत्य (apahṛtya): having drawn back/withdrawn

• आशु (āśu): quickly

• प्रसक्तानि (prasaktāni): attached, rushing toward (objects)

• इन्द्रियाणि (indriyāṇi): senses

• च (ca): and

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shaiva discipline within the Purva-Bhaga teaching flow)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Guru

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-worship as more than outer ritual: true pūjā matures through Śiva-jñāna, firm Guru-bhakti, and indriya-nigraha (withdrawing the senses), which purifies the paśu and makes worship effective.

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

Śiva-tattva is approached as direct realization (jñāna) rather than mere belief; the verse implies Śiva is the Pati attainable when the paśu loosens pāśa by disciplined restraint and Guru-guided devotion.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A yogic discipline akin to pratyāhāra and dama: swiftly withdrawing the senses from their attachments, supported by unwavering devotion to the Guru and contemplation of Śiva.