Shloka 55

Śiva-Śakti Tattva, Varṇa-Rahasya, and Mahāvākya-Bhāvanā

Interpretive Discipline

Devanagari script

इति क्रमाद्गुरुवरो दयालुर्ज्ञानसागरः । सानुकूलेन चित्तेन समं शिष्यं समाचरेत्

Transliteration

iti kramādguruvaro dayālurjñānasāgaraḥ | sānukūlena cittena samaṃ śiṣyaṃ samācaret

Translation

So soll der erhabene Guru—voll Mitgefühl und ein Ozean geistigen Wissens—den Schüler Schritt für Schritt mit wohlwollendem, unterstützendem Sinn führen und schulen und ihn dabei gleichmütig und gerecht behandeln.

Word by Word

• iti: thus
• iti: Vākyopasaṃhāra (वाक्योपसंहार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: उक्त्यर्थक-अव्यय (quotative particle)

• kramāt: in due course
• kramāt: Hetu/Apādāna (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: krama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; हेतौ/क्रमे (ablative: in due course/from sequence)

• guru-varaḥ: the excellent guru
• guru-varaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guru (प्रातिपदिक) + vara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (वरः गुरुḥ = excellent guru)

• dayāluḥ: compassionate
• dayāluḥ: Kartṛ-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृसमानाधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dayālu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• jñāna-sāgaraḥ: ocean of knowledge
• jñāna-sāgaraḥ: Kartṛ-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृसमानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jñāna (प्रातिपदिक) + sāgara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (ज्ञानस्य सागरः)

• sa-anukūlena: with favorable
• sa-anukūlena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa- + anukūla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सह-उपपदपूर्वक (with a favorable...)

• cittena: mind/heart
• cittena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: citta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• samam: equally
• samam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sama (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययीभाववत्)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb) समत्वे/समानतायाम्

• śiṣyam: disciple
• śiṣyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiṣya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• samācaret: should behave/should treat
• samācaret: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ā-√car (चर्, धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Kailāsa-saṃhitā teachings to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Defines the ideal guru as compassionate and impartial—key Siddhānta emphasis that liberation arises through guru-mediated transmission of Śiva-jñāna and disciplined practice.

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It establishes the Shaiva ideal of the guru as compassionate and steady—one who leads the bound soul (paśu) gradually toward Shiva (Pati) through patient instruction, impartial care, and a supportive inner attitude.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

Linga-worship and Saguna Shiva upāsanā require disciplined practice and correct understanding; the verse emphasizes that a qualified guru transmits right method and meaning step by step, ensuring devotion is guided by knowledge rather than mere impulse.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It points to gradual, guru-guided sādhana—such as steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and regular, balanced observances—performed with a supportive, non-harsh attitude that sustains long-term practice.