Shloka 6

Kāla-vañcana (Overcoming/Outwitting Time) and the Pañcabhūta Basis of the Body

Devanagari script

आकाशस्तु ततो व्यापी सर्वेषां सर्वगः स्थितः । आकाशे तु विलीयंते संभवंति पुनस्ततः

Transliteration

ākāśastu tato vyāpī sarveṣāṃ sarvagaḥ sthitaḥ | ākāśe tu vilīyaṃte saṃbhavaṃti punastataḥ

Translation

Pagkaraan nito, ang Ākāśa (kalawakan/eter) ang prinsipyong sumasaklaw sa lahat, naroroon sa bawat dako at nananahan sa lahat. Sa Ākāśa nalulusaw ang mga nilalang, at mula roon muli silang sumisibol—ayon sa kaayusang kosmiko ng Panginoon.

Word by Word

• घोषम्: sound / Ghoṣa (name)
• घोषम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: घोष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative), एकवचनम्

• कांस्यम्: bronze / Kāṃsya (name)
• कांस्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कांस्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative), एकवचनम्

• तथा: and also
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण/समुच्चयार्थक (adverb/conjunctive)

• शृङ्गम्: horn / Śṛṅga (name)
• शृङ्गम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शृङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative), एकवचनम्

• घण्टाम्: bell / Ghaṇṭā (name)
• घण्टाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: घण्टा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative), एकवचनम्

• वीणा: lute / Vīṇā (name)
• वीणा: Karta or List-item (अनिर्णीत/सूची)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीणा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (Nominative), एकवचनम्; (पाठभेदे द्वितीया ‘वीणाम्’ अपेक्ष्यते)

• दिवंशजान्: those born of a divine portion
• दिवंशजान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिवम् (प्रातिपदिक) + अंश (प्रातिपदिक) + ज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative), बहुवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (दिवम्-अंश-जा = ‘born from a portion of heaven/divinity’)

Speaker

Lord Shiva (as the philosophical teacher in Umāsaṃhitā, instructing Umā/Devī)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Supports contemplation on dissolution (laya) and re-emergence under divine order; encourages non-attachment and trust in Śiva’s governance of cycles.

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: cyclic dissolution and re-manifestation (laya-sṛṣṭi cycle)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It presents a key cosmic rhythm: manifestation arises, dissolves, and arises again within the subtle expanse of ākāśa—pointing the seeker toward the deeper truth that all change occurs within a higher, sustaining reality, ultimately grounded in Shiva as Pati (the Lord).

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

The Linga symbolizes the all-pervading support of existence: just as all beings dissolve into and arise from the subtle field, Saguna Shiva is worshiped as the accessible form of that all-pervading ground, leading the mind toward Shiva’s transcendence beyond the tattvas.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditate on Shiva as vyāpaka (all-pervading) while repeating the Panchakshara—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—contemplating the arising and dissolving of thoughts into inner space (citta-ākāśa), supported by Tripuṇḍra and Rudrāksha if practiced in your tradition.