Shloka 7

Brahmā’s Yogic Vision of Sadyōjāta in the Śvetalohita Kalpa

Devanagari script

सुनन्दो नन्दनश्चैव विश्वनन्दोपनन्दनौ शिष्यास्ते वै महात्मानो यैस्तद्ब्रह्म सदावृतम्

Transliteration

sunando nandanaścaiva viśvanandopanandanau śiṣyāste vai mahātmāno yaistadbrahma sadāvṛtam

Translation

善难陀（Sunanda）、难陀那（Nandana）、毗湿瓦难陀（Viśvananda）与优波难陀那（Upanandana）——他们确是大心弟子，由他们使那梵（证悟湿婆之智）恒常得以护持与保存。

Word by Word

• sunandaḥ: Sunanda (name of a disciple)

• nandanaḥ: Nandana (name of a disciple)

• ca eva: and indeed

• viśvanandaḥ: Viśvananda (name of a disciple)

• upanandanaḥ: Upanandana (name of a disciple)

• śiṣyāḥ: disciples

• te: they/those

• vai: indeed

• mahātmānaḥ: great-souled, noble ones

• yaiḥ: by whom

• tat: that

• brahma: Brahman / brahma-vidyā (supreme knowledge culminating in Śiva-tattva)

• sadā: always

• āvṛtam: covered over / safeguarded / kept intact (i.e., preserved from loss and corruption)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Sunanda
• Nandana
• Viśvananda
• Upanandana
• Brahman (Śiva-tattva)

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that authentic Linga-worship rests on a protected lineage of teaching—disciples preserve the core Śaiva brahma-vidyā so ritual remains aligned with realization of Pati (Śiva), not mere external form.

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

By calling the highest truth “Brahman” and noting it is preserved by realized disciples, the verse implies Shiva-tattva as the supreme, liberating knowledge—Pati, the ultimate reality known through transmission and practice.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights guru-paramparā as the enabling discipline behind Pāśupata Yoga and Śiva-upāsanā: the safeguarding and correct handing down of mantras, meanings, and observances connected to Śiva-realization.