Shloka 63

अध्याय ९६: शरभ-प्रादुर्भावः, नृसिंह-दर्पशमनम्, विष्णोः शिवस्तुतिः, फलश्रुति

Devanagari script

न तद्धिरण्मयं सौम्यं न सौरं नाग्निसंभवम् न तडिच्चन्द्रसदृशम् अनौपम्यं महेश्वरम्

Transliteration

na taddhiraṇmayaṃ saumyaṃ na sauraṃ nāgnisaṃbhavam na taḍiccandrasadṛśam anaupamyaṃ maheśvaram

Translation

彼大自在天（Maheshvara）非金质所成，非仅柔和如月，非太阳，亦非由火而生；不似闪电，亦不似明月。主尊无比无对，超越一切譬喻与尺度。

Word by Word

• na: not

• tat: that (reality/form)

• hiraṇmayam: made of gold, golden

• saumyam: gentle, lunar, cool-natured

• na: not

• sauram: solar, of the sun

• na: not

• agni-saṃbhavam: produced from fire

• na: not

• taḍit: lightning

• candra-sadṛśam: similar to the moon

• anaupamyam: having no comparison, matchless

• maheśvaram: Maheshvara, the Great Lord (Pati)

Speaker

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

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Maheshvara

FAQs

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

It teaches that the Linga points to Maheshvara as an incomparable reality, not reducible to any material brilliance (gold) or cosmic power (sun, moon, fire, lightning); worship is directed to Pati beyond all limiting forms.

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

Shiva is presented as anaupamya—beyond comparison—transcending elemental origins and celestial analogies, indicating the supreme Pati who is not conditioned by prakriti-based qualities.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A Pashupata-style contemplative focus (dhyana) is implied: negate limiting identifications and meditate on the Linga as the sign of the incomparable Lord, loosening pasha (bondage) upon the pashu (soul).