Shloka 39
तस्मान्मंत्रैस्तपोभिर्व्रतनियमयुतैरौषधैर्योगयुक्ता धात्री रक्ता मनुष्यैर्नयविनययुतैर्धर्मविद्भिः क्रमेण । भूतानामादि देवो न हि भवति चलः संयुतो वै चतुर्णां तस्मादेवं प्रवक्ष्ये विधिमनुगदितं छायिकं यच्छिवाख्यम्
tasmānmaṃtraistapobhirvrataniyamayutairauṣadhairyogayuktā dhātrī raktā manuṣyairnayavinayayutairdharmavidbhiḥ krameṇa | bhūtānāmādi devo na hi bhavati calaḥ saṃyuto vai caturṇāṃ tasmādevaṃ pravakṣye vidhimanugaditaṃ chāyikaṃ yacchivākhyam
Portanto, o poder sustentador (Dhātrī) torna-se corretamente alinhado—por meio de mantras, austeridades, votos e observâncias disciplinadas, apoios medicinais e a prática do yoga—quando seres humanos, guiados por boa conduta e humildade, conhecedores do dharma, o realizam passo a passo. Pois o Deva primordial de todos os seres, Śiva, não é inconstante; deve-se aproximar d’Ele como do Único unido aos quatro meios. Assim, declararei agora, conforme o ensinamento transmitido, o método prescrito chamado Chāyika, conhecido como “Śiva”.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s transmitted teaching to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Emphasizes sādhana as the ‘approach’ to the Ādi-deva: mantra, tapas, vrata-niyama, auṣadha, and yoga as graded disciplines; mirrors pilgrimage discipline (niyama, purity, gradual approach) but not tied to a single Jyotirliṅga.
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva-realization is not gained by impulse but through a steady, ordered integration of mantra, tapas, disciplined vows, supportive means, and yoga—practiced with humility and dharmic conduct—because Śiva, the primal Lord, is unwavering and responds to sincere, well-formed sādhanā.
The verse frames Saguna worship as a structured path: mantra-japa, vrata-niyama, and yogic steadiness purify the seeker so that Linga-upāsanā becomes stable and fruitful, revealing the steadfast nature of Śiva beyond fickle emotions or irregular practice.
Adopt a gradual regimen combining Shiva-mantra japa (such as the Panchakshara), tapas and vrata with niyamas (purity, restraint, regular worship), and yoga (meditative steadiness); the emphasis is on disciplined continuity rather than sporadic devotion.