Shloka 16

प्रसाद-ज्ञान-योग-मोक्षक्रमः तथा व्यास-रुद्रावतार-मन्वन्तर-परम्परा

Devanagari script

सारस्वतस्त्रिधामा च त्रिवृतो मुनिपुंगवः शततेजाः स्वयंधर्मो नारायण इति श्रुतः

Transliteration

sārasvatastridhāmā ca trivṛto munipuṃgavaḥ śatatejāḥ svayaṃdharmo nārāyaṇa iti śrutaḥ

Translation

ఆయన సారస్వతుడు, త్రిధాముడు, త్రివృతుడు అని ప్రసిద్ధుడు; మునిపుంగవుడు, శతతేజస్సు గలవాడు, స్వయంధర్మస్వరూపుడు. ఆయన నారాయణుడని కూడా శ్రుతి చెబుతుంది—ఒకే పతి అనేక నామరూపాలుగా ప్రకాశించును।

Word by Word

• सारस्वतः: lord of sacred knowledge / Sarasvatī’s power embodied

• त्रिधामा: having three abodes (or lights) i.e., pervading the three worlds/states

• च: and

• त्रिवृतः: threefold/encircled by three (the triad)

• मुनिपुंगवः: the bull/foremost among sages

• शततेजाः: of a hundred splendors, intensely radiant

• स्वयंधर्मः: self-existent Dharma, Dharma in His own being

• नारायणः: Nārāyaṇa (the all-pervading refuge of beings)

• इति: thus

• श्रुतः: is heard/known in śruti and tradition

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Narayana

FAQs

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

It teaches that the worshipped Linga signifies the one supreme Pati who is praised by many Vedic names—wisdom (Sārasvata), cosmic pervasion (Tridhāman), and self-existent Dharma—so Linga-pūjā is directed to the single Reality beyond sectarian limitation.

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

Shiva-tattva is presented as self-arisen (svayaṃ), the very ground of Dharma, and as the luminous consciousness pervading the triad (three worlds/three states). Calling Him “Nārāyaṇa” underscores non-duality of the supreme Lord as Pati, while souls (paśu) remain bound by pāśa until knowledge and grace arise.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A contemplative upāsanā is implied: meditate on the Lord’s triadic pervasion (Tridhāman/Trivṛta) and radiant power (Śatatejas) while performing Linga-arcana, aligning the practitioner’s dharma with the self-existent Dharma (svayaṃdharma) taught in Pāśupata-oriented devotion.