Shloka 143

देवैर्विष्णोः शरणागमनम्—शिवलिङ्गस्थापनं, शिवसहस्रनामस्तवः, सुदर्शनचक्रप्रदानं च

Devanagari script

अकंपितो गुणग्राही नैकात्मा नैककर्मकृत् सुप्रीतः सुमुखः सूक्ष्मः सुकरो दक्षिणो ऽनलः

Transliteration

akaṃpito guṇagrāhī naikātmā naikakarmakṛt suprītaḥ sumukhaḥ sūkṣmaḥ sukaro dakṣiṇo 'nalaḥ

Translation

祂坚定不动、毫不震摇；善于鉴纳一切德行。祂不局限于一形一相，也不拘于一种作为。祂恒常欢悦，慈颜和善；微细不可执取，却为虔敬者所易得；慈恩吉祥。并且作为内在之火，祂焚尽不净与系缚。

Word by Word

• akampitaḥ: unshaken, unwavering

• guṇagrāhī: perceiver/acceptor of virtues, one who apprehends qualities

• naikātmā: of many forms, not limited to one self-form

• naikakarmakṛt: performer of many kinds of actions, not limited to one deed

• suprītaḥ: exceedingly pleased, deeply gracious

• sumukhaḥ: auspicious-faced, benevolent countenance

• sūkṣmaḥ: subtle, imperceptible to gross senses

• sukaraḥ: easy to approach/attain, readily accomplished

• dakṣiṇaḥ: gracious, favorable, skillful, auspicious

• analaḥ: fire, the inner consuming flame (destroyer of impurities)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It presents Shiva as both subtle (sūkṣma) and easily attainable (sukara), supporting Linga worship as a means to approach the formless Pati through a sanctified symbol while receiving His grace (suprīta, dakṣiṇa).

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

Shiva is portrayed as unwavering consciousness (akampita), capable of manifesting in many forms (naikātmā) and performing diverse cosmic functions (naikakarmakṛt), while remaining subtle and inwardly present as the purifier (anala).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse implies Pashupata-oriented inner purification: meditating on Shiva as the inner fire (anala) that burns impurities and pasha, alongside devotion that makes Him ‘easy to attain’ (sukara) through japa, dhyāna, and Linga-pūjā.