Shloka 76

Devanagari script

अस्मान्महत्तरं भूतं गुह्यमन्यन्न विद्यते महतः परमं धाम शिवम् अध्यात्मिनां पदम्

Transliteration

asmānmahattaraṃ bhūtaṃ guhyamanyanna vidyate mahataḥ paramaṃ dhāma śivam adhyātmināṃ padam

Translation

超越此显现之理，更无别的秘密实在。越过大（mahat）者，有至上之住处——湿婆（Śiva），乃知我者内在的灵性归趣。

Word by Word

• asmāt: than this/from this

• mahattaram: greater, higher

• bhūtam: being, principle, reality

• guhyam: secret, esoteric

• anyat: other

• na: not

• vidyate: is found/exists

• mahataḥ: beyond the mahat (cosmic intellect/primordial principle)

• paramam: supreme

• dhāma: abode, state, light

• śivam: Śiva/the auspicious Supreme (Pati)

• adhyātminām: of the spiritually inward/ātma-knowers

• padam: goal, station, highest step

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana’s teaching to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Śiva as the highest, most secret Reality beyond cosmic principles like mahat; thus Linga-worship is not merely ritual, but a means to realize Pati (Śiva) as the supreme Abode.

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

Śiva-tattva is presented as transcendent—beyond mahat (cosmic intellect) and deeper than any “hidden” principle—yet attainable as the adhyātmic padam, the inner goal for Self-knowers.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes adhyātma-oriented realization: inward Pāśupata-style discipline (turning from tattvas to the indwelling Pati) rather than externalism alone, with worship serving as support for inner ascent.