Shloka 138

वासिष्ठकथनम् (आदित्य–सोमवंशवर्णनम् तथा रुद्रसहस्रनाम-प्रशंसा)

Devanagari script

हिरण्यबाहुश् च तथा गुहावासः प्रवेशनः महामना महाकामश् चित्तकामो जितेन्द्रियः

Transliteration

hiraṇyabāhuś ca tathā guhāvāsaḥ praveśanaḥ mahāmanā mahākāmaś cittakāmo jitendriyaḥ

Translation

وہ ہِرَنیہ باہو—سنہری بازوؤں والا؛ دل کی غار میں بسنے والا؛ باطن کی حقیقت اور موکش میں داخلہ عطا کرنے والا ہے۔ وہ عظیم دل، مہاکام (جس کا ارادہ ہی حاکم)، چِتّ کام—جس کی چاہت خالص شعور ہے، اور جیتےندریہ—حواس پر غالب ہے۔

Word by Word

• हिरण्यबाहुः: golden-armed, radiant-limbed Lord

• तथा: and also

• गुहावासः: dweller in the cave/secret recess (of the heart)

• प्रवेशनः: the one who causes entry/initiates प्रवेश (into the path, mantra, or liberation)

• महामना: great-souled, vast-minded

• महाकामः: of supreme will/desire (independent icchā-śakti)

• चित्तकामः: whose ‘desire’ is citta/pure awareness, or who fulfills the mind’s longing

• जितेन्द्रियः: conqueror of the senses, perfectly self-restrained

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

These names portray Shiva as both the radiant, worship-worthy Pati (Hiraṇyabāhu) and the indwelling Lord (Guhāvāsa). In Linga-puja, the outer Linga supports remembrance of the inner ‘cave-dwelling’ Shiva who grants entry into realization (Praveśana).

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

Shiva is shown as sovereign consciousness: His will is independent (Mahākāma), yet His ‘desire’ is not lack but pure awareness (Cittakāma). As Pati, He is untouched by pasha (bondage) and therefore perfectly self-mastered (Jitendriya).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It points to Pashupata-oriented inner worship: sense-restraint (jitendriyatā), meditation on Shiva in the heart-cave (guhā), and initiation/entry into the path (praveśa) through mantra and disciplined sādhanā.