Shloka 31

योगान्तरायाः, औपसर्गिकसिद्धयः, परवैराग्येन शैवप्रसादः

Devanagari script

पार्थिवांशं विना नित्यं सुरभिर् गन्धसंयुतः एतदष्टगुणं प्रोक्तम् ऐश्वर्यं पार्थिवं महत्

Transliteration

pārthivāṃśaṃ vinā nityaṃ surabhir gandhasaṃyutaḥ etadaṣṭaguṇaṃ proktam aiśvaryaṃ pārthivaṃ mahat

Translation

除去土性之分，它恒常芬芳，具足香气。此被宣说为地大之大自在力，具八种德相。

Word by Word

• पार्थिव-अंशम्: the earthy portion/elemental share

• विना: without/apart from

• नित्यम्: always/ever

• सुरभिः: fragrant/pleasant-smelling

• गन्ध-सम्युतः: endowed with scent/possessing fragrance

• एतत्: this

• अष्ट-गुणम्: eightfold in qualities

• प्रोक्तम्: is said/declared

• ऐश्वर्यम्: lordship/splendor/sovereignty

• पार्थिवम्: pertaining to earth/earthly

• महत्: great

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 highlights gandha (fragrance) as a defining, auspicious marker of the ‘pārthiva’ (earth-related) mode—supporting why gandha offerings (like sandal paste) are central in Linga-puja as a tattva-aligned upacāra.

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

By distinguishing the ‘earthy portion’ from subtler qualities like fragrance, the verse implies that true aiśvarya is not mere gross matter; in Shaiva terms, Pati (Shiva) is the source of ordered qualities in tattvas while remaining distinct from their limiting ‘pārthiva’ grossness.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Puja-vidhi is implied through gandha: applying sandalwood paste and fragrant substances to the Linga, training the pashu’s mind toward sattva and devotion while loosening pasha through disciplined worship.