Shloka 29

Dāruvana-parīkṣā: Śaṅkara’s Test and the Linga’s Ritual-Theological Grounding

Devanagari script

भवद्भिश्च तथा कार्यं यथा स्वास्थ्यं भवेदिह । शिवलिंगस्य ऋषयो मनसा संविचार्य्यताम्

Transliteration

bhavadbhiśca tathā kāryaṃ yathā svāsthyaṃ bhavediha | śivaliṃgasya ṛṣayo manasā saṃvicāryyatām

Translation

Auch ihr sollt so handeln, dass hier Gesundheit und Wohlergehen bewahrt bleiben. O Rishis, erwägt im Geist sorgfältig den Śiva-Liṅga.

Word by Word

• भवद्भिः: by you (hon.)
• भवद्भिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भवत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; आदरार्थे ‘भवत्’ = you (hon.)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• तथा: thus/in such a way
• तथा: Prakara (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (manner adverb)

• कार्यं: what should be done
• कार्यं: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्य (कृ-धातु, यत्/ण्यम्-प्रत्यय; प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘to be done’ (gerundive noun)

• यथा: so that
• यथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; यथार्थ-सम्बन्धबोधक (so that/as)

• स्वास्थ्यं: well-being/health
• स्वास्थ्यं: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वास्थ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), एकवचन

• भवेत्: may be
• भवेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• इह: here
• इह: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/देश)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इह (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (locative adverb)

• शिव-लिङ्गस्य: of the Śiva-liṅga
• शिव-लिङ्गस्य: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक) + लिङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (शिवस्य लिङ्गम्)

• ऋषयः: the sages
• ऋषयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), बहुवचन

• मनसा: with the mind
• मनसा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन

• संविचार्यताम्: let (it) be deliberated upon
• संविचार्यताम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-वि-चर् (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि-प्रयोगः (let it be deliberated)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: General Koṭirudra-saṃhitā setting: sages are urged to deliberate on the Śiva-liṅga as the stabilizing focus for welfare; not a specific Jyotirliṅga episode in this verse.

Significance: Emphasizes that right conduct and right contemplation of the liṅga supports loka-kṣema (well-being) and inner steadiness—preparatory to worship and grace.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shiva Linga
• Rishis

FAQs

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

It teaches disciplined, health-preserving conduct alongside inner contemplation—showing that Śiva-bhakti is supported by sattvic living and steady mental focus on the Śiva-liṅga as Pati (the Lord) who grants grace.

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

The verse explicitly directs the sages to contemplate the Śiva-liṅga, affirming the liṅga as a saguna support for worship through which the devotee steadies mind and devotion while approaching the transcendent Śiva.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is manasa-pūjā (mental worship): keep the mind fixed on the Śiva-liṅga with reverence, supported by disciplined routine and bodily well-being—suitable for japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” during liṅga-darśana or pilgrimage.