Shloka 147

Adhyaya 72 — Puradāha: Rudra’s Cosmic Chariot, Pāśupata-Vrata, and Brahmā’s Shiva-Stuti

Devanagari script

योगिनां हृदि संस्थाय सदा नीवारशूकवत् प्रत्याहाराय ते नित्यं प्रत्याहाररताय ते

Transliteration

yogināṃ hṛdi saṃsthāya sadā nīvāraśūkavat pratyāhārāya te nityaṃ pratyāhāraratāya te

Translation

Пребывая в сердцах йогинов, вечно тонкий, как кончик шелухи дикого риса, Шива непрестанно вводит их в пратьяхару — отведение чувств, ибо они всегда преданы этому внутреннему отступлению органов чувств.

Word by Word

• योगिनाम् (yoginām): of yogins

• हृदि (hṛdi): in the heart

• संस्थाय (saṃsthāya): having become established/abiding

• सदा (sadā): always

• नीवार-शूकवत् (nīvāra-śūkavat): like the fine tip/husk of wild rice (extremely subtle)

• प्रत्याहाराय (pratyāhārāya): for/into pratyāhāra (sense-withdrawal)

• ते (te): they/for them

• नित्यम् (nityaṃ): constantly

• प्रत्याहार-रताय (pratyāhāra-ratāya): devoted/delighting in pratyāhāra

• ते (te): they/indeed

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It internalizes Linga-upāsanā: the true mark (liṅga) is Śiva’s subtle presence in the yogin’s heart, realized through pratyāhāra rather than only external ritual.

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

Śiva-tattva is portrayed as antaryāmin (inner indweller)—extremely subtle and intimate—guiding the paśu (bound soul) away from pasha (sense-bondage) toward Pati (the Lord) through inward withdrawal.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Pratyāhāra (withdrawal of the senses) is highlighted as a key limb of Pāśupata-oriented yoga, enabling the mind to turn from external objects toward Śiva’s inner presence.