Shloka 4

Adhyaya 8: Yogasthanas, Ashtanga Yoga, Pranayama-Siddhi, and Shiva-Dhyana leading to Samadhi

Devanagari script

प्रसादस्य स्वरूपं यत् स्वसंवेद्यं द्विजोत्तमाः वक्तुं न शक्यं ब्रह्माद्यैः क्रमशो जायते नृणाम्

Transliteration

prasādasya svarūpaṃ yat svasaṃvedyaṃ dvijottamāḥ vaktuṃ na śakyaṃ brahmādyaiḥ kramaśo jāyate nṛṇām

Translation

噢，诸二生中最胜者，（湿婆的）prasāda——神圣恩典——其真实体性唯可由内证自知；即使梵天等诸神也难以用言辞尽述。于人之中，它是循序渐生、一步一步而起。

Word by Word

• prasādasya: of grace (prasāda)

• svarūpam: essential nature, true form

• yat: which

• svasaṁvedyam: to be known by one’s own direct inner awareness

• dvijottamāḥ: O best of the twice-born (brāhmaṇas)

• vaktum: to speak, to describe

• na śakyam: not possible

• brahmādyaiḥ: by Brahmā and the others (deities)

• kramaśaḥ: gradually, in sequence

• jāyate: arises, is born

• nṛṇām: in/for human beings

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-worship as a grace-centered path: the fruit is not merely ritual merit but Śiva’s prasāda, which matures progressively in the pashu (individual soul) through steady devotion, purity, and worship.

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

By stating that prasāda is svasaṁvedya and indescribable even to Brahmā, it implies Śiva-tattva is ultimately beyond conceptual speech and is realized inwardly—Pati revealing Himself through anugraha rather than being captured by intellect alone.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights gradual ripening—kramaśaḥ—pointing to sustained sādhana such as Pāśupata-oriented discipline: regular Linga-pūjā, mantra-japa, inner purification, and meditative absorption until grace becomes directly experienced.