Shloka 82

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

Devanagari script

भवक्षेत्रे सुगुप्ते वा भवारामे वने ऽपि वा गृहे तु सुशुभे देशे विजने जन्तुवर्जिते

Transliteration

bhavakṣetre sugupte vā bhavārāme vane 'pi vā gṛhe tu suśubhe deśe vijane jantuvarjite

Translation

Seja num recinto sagrado de Bhava (Śiva) bem resguardado, seja no jardim de Bhava, ou mesmo numa floresta—ou ainda dentro da própria casa—deve-se escolher um lugar muitíssimo auspicioso: recolhido, silencioso e livre de criaturas perturbadoras. Ali, retirando a mente do pāśa (cativeiro), o paśu (alma individual) pode aproximar-se do Pati (Senhor Śiva) por meio da adoração disciplinada do Liṅga.

Word by Word

• भवक्षेत्रे: in Bhava’s (Śiva’s) sacred field/temple precinct

• सुगुप्ते: well-guarded, protected, secure

• वा: or

• भवारामे: in Bhava’s garden/pleasure-grove

• वने: in a forest

• अपि: even

• वा: or

• गृहे: in the house/home

• तु: indeed/also

• सुशुभे: very auspicious, beautiful

• देशे: in a place/locale

• विजने: secluded, solitary

• जन्तुवर्जिते: devoid of creatures/living beings (undisturbed by animals/insects).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Linga-puja vidhi to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Bhava)

FAQs

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

It sets the core requirement for Liṅga-pūjā: the worship site should be auspicious, protected, secluded, and undisturbed—supporting steadiness of mind and purity of practice.

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

By calling Him “Bhava” and naming His kṣetra and ārāma, the verse presents Śiva as the Pati whose presence sanctifies space; approaching Him requires withdrawing the paśu from pāśa through ordered discipline.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights preparatory discipline (deśa-śuddhi and ekānta—seclusion) for Liṅga-pūjā, aligning with Pāśupata-oriented sādhanā where an undistracted environment supports mantra, dhyāna, and offering.