Shloka 23
Paramātma-Svarūpa-Nirṇaya: Strī–Puṃ–Napuṃsaka-Vicāra
Inquiry into the Supreme Self and Gendered Forms
षट्कोशरूपः पिण्डो हि तत्र चाद्यत्रयम्भवेत् । मात्रंशजं पुनश्चान्यत्पित्रंशजमिति श्रुतिः
ṣaṭkośarūpaḥ piṇḍo hi tatra cādyatrayambhavet | mātraṃśajaṃ punaścānyatpitraṃśajamiti śrutiḥ
पिण्डो हि षट्कोशरूपः; तत्र आद्यत्रयं तस्मादेव भवेत्। शेषं तु श्रुतौ—किञ्चिन्मात्रांशजं किञ्चित्पित्रंशजमिति—श्रूयते।
Lord Shiva (teaching in the Kailasha Samhita discourse)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
FAQs
It frames the human person as a layered embodiment (six kośas), reminding the seeker that the Self is not identical with these coverings; liberation in Shaiva Siddhanta comes by Shiva’s grace and right knowledge that transcends the sheaths and bondage (pāśa).
By analyzing embodiment as a composite and conditioned structure, the verse turns the mind away from body-identification toward devotion to Saguna Shiva (Linga as the accessible support) who reveals the Pati (Lord) beyond all kośas.
A practical takeaway is kośa-viveka (discernment of sheaths) combined with japa of the Panchakshara—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—to steady awareness beyond bodily and mental layers, supported by Shaiva disciplines like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa where prescribed.