Shloka 20
प्रकृतितत्त्व-विचारः / Inquiry into Prakṛti (Nature/Śakti) and Śiva’s Transcendence
पराधीनस्सदा त्वं हि नानाकर्म्मकरो वशी । निर्विकारी कथं त्वं हि न लिप्तश्च मया कथम्
parādhīnassadā tvaṃ hi nānākarmmakaro vaśī | nirvikārī kathaṃ tvaṃ hi na liptaśca mayā katham
पराधीन इव सदा त्वं, तथापि वशी बहुकर्मकर्ता। निर्विकारोऽसि चेत् कथं कर्मणा न लिप्यसे, कथं च मया मायेया न बद्धो भवसि?
Pārvatī
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: teaching
FAQs
Pārvatī raises a key Shaiva question: how Shiva can appear engaged in creation and deeds yet remain nirvikāra (unchanging) and alipta (untainted). The verse points to Shiva as Pati—supreme controller—whose actions do not bind Him the way karma binds the pashu (individual soul).
Linga worship trains the devotee to see the Lord as both manifest (saguṇa—graciously active as creator, protector, teacher) and transcendent (nirguṇa—beyond impurity and karmic limitation). This verse frames that paradox, encouraging reverence for Shiva’s immanence without losing sight of His transcendence.
Meditate on Shiva as “alipta” while doing japa of the Pañcākṣarī—Om Namaḥ Śivāya—offering actions mentally at the Linga and cultivating non-attachment. This supports a Mahāśivarātri-style vow of inner purity: act in the world, but dedicate results to Shiva.