Shloka 90

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

Devanagari script

अव्यक्ताय विशोकाय स्थिराय स्थिरधन्विने स्थाणवे कृत्तिवासाय नमः पञ्चार्थहेतवे

Transliteration

avyaktāya viśokāya sthirāya sthiradhanvine sthāṇave kṛttivāsāya namaḥ pañcārthahetave

Translation

顶礼于不显者（avyakta）、无忧者；顶礼于坚固者，执不动之弓者。顶礼于Sthāṇu，不动之主；顶礼于披皮衣者——礼敬为五义（pañcārtha，五种实在）之因的至尊。

Word by Word

• अव्यक्ताय: to the Unmanifest (beyond sense-perception)

• विशोकाय: to the Sorrowless (free from all duḥkha)

• स्थिराय: to the Steadfast/Immovable

• स्थिरधन्विने: to the One whose bow is firm/unyielding (the resolute Lord)

• स्थाणवे: to Sthāṇu, the Fixed Pillar/Immovable Shiva

• कृत्तिवासाय: to the One wearing skins (ascetic form of Mahādeva)

• नमः: salutations

• पञ्चार्थहेतवे: to the Cause of the five arthas/tattvas (the fivefold categories that structure manifested existence)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating a Shiva-stuti within the Linga Purana)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames the Linga as Shiva’s avyaktā (unmanifest) reality—worship is directed to Pati beyond form, while the Linga serves as the stable support for meditation and devotion.

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

Shiva is presented as unconditioned and sorrowless (viśoka), yet also the steadfast ruler (sthira, sthāṇu) who stands as the causal ground behind the fivefold categories that govern manifested life.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse functions as mantra-stuti for japa and dhyāna in Linga-puja; yogically it supports Pashupata contemplation of Pati as the immutable cause, loosening pasha (bondage) upon the pashu (soul).