Shloka 24

उपलेपनादिकथनम्

Vastraputa-jala, Ahimsa, and Conduct in Shiva Worship

Devanagari script

भवन्ति दुःखिताः सर्वे निर्दया मुनिसत्तमाः भक्तिहीना नराः सर्वे भवे परमकारणे

Transliteration

bhavanti duḥkhitāḥ sarve nirdayā munisattamāḥ bhaktihīnā narāḥ sarve bhave paramakāraṇe

Translation

噢，最胜仙人！一切缺乏奉爱（bhakti）之人皆成苦恼，心地冷硬无慈；于轮回之中，若无虔敬，便不能证得至上因——至因（Paramakāraṇa）、作为主宰之主（Pati）的上主。

Word by Word

• bhavanti: become

• duḥkhitāḥ: afflicted/sorrowful

• sarve: all

• nirdayāḥ: merciless/without compassion

• munisattamāḥ: O best of sages

• bhakti-hīnāḥ: devoid of devotion

• narāḥ: men/people

• sarve: all

• bhave: in bhava (worldly becoming/saṁsāra)

• parama-kāraṇe: in/with regard to the Supreme Cause (Paramakāraṇa, i.e., Śiva as the ultimate cause).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It states that without bhakti, the pashu (individual soul) remains bound in bhava (saṁsāra) and falls into duḥkha; Linga-worship becomes fruitful only when performed with devotion directed to Pati (Śiva), the Supreme Cause.

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

Śiva is implied as Paramakāraṇa—the ultimate ground of existence and the liberating Lord (Pati). Without turning to Him through bhakti, beings remain under pasha (bondage) and cannot reach the highest principle.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The core practice emphasized is bhakti as the inner limb of Shiva-puja and Pāśupata-oriented discipline—transforming the heart from nirdayatā (hardness) to compassion and surrender, which makes worship and sādhanā liberating.