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The ancient householder

nityāya triguṇātmane purajite kātyāyanīśreyasesatyāyādikuṭumbine munimanaḥpratyakṣacinmūrtaye ;māyāsṛṣṭajagattrayāya sakalāmnāyāntasañcāriṇesāyantāṇḍavasambhramāya jaṭine seyaṃ natiḥ śambhave . 56 .

About these study notes: English meanings and explanations were generated with AI assistance and have not been independently reviewed by a Sanskrit scholar. Sanskrit text follows the cited source editions.

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Sringeri IAST text · source wording and line-break hyphens retained. English glosses follow the connected Sanskrit sense.

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Selected phraseMeaning in context

To the eternal one associated with the three qualities, conqueror of the cities and the good of Katyayani.

Key expressions in this quarter: nitya — eternal; triguṇa — the three qualities; purajit — conqueror of the cities.

To truth, the primordial householder, manifest as consciousness in sages' minds.

Key expressions in this quarter: ādikuṭumbin — primordial householder; cinmūrti — form of consciousness.

Whose power manifests the three worlds and who moves through the culmination of revelation.

Key expressions in this quarter: māyā — power of manifestation; āmnāya — sacred revelation.

To the matted-haired Shambhu absorbed in the evening dance, this salutation is offered.

Key expressions in this quarter: sāyantāṇḍava — evening dance.

The ancient householder

To the eternal one associated with the three qualities, conqueror of the cities and the good of Katyayani. To truth, the primordial householder, manifest as consciousness in sages' minds. Whose power manifests the three worlds and who moves through the culmination of revelation. To the matted-haired Shambhu absorbed in the evening dance, this salutation is offered.

How the verse unfolds.

The surprising title 'primordial householder' places divine intimacy beside transcendence. The verse does not separate the contemplative presence in sages' minds from Shiva's life with the goddess. Its final dance continues the movement of the preceding salutation.

EDITORIAL EXPLANATION · NOT A TRADITIONAL COMMENTARY

What changes when I stop opposing inward practice to everyday relationship?

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Connected themes

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Associated Tattva

Shiva and Uma

The primordial householder is also the form of consciousness residing in sages’ minds. Divine intimacy and contemplative presence are held together in the same address.

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A phrase, a question, a moment of understanding

What changes when I stop opposing inward practice to everyday relationship?

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