Shloka 60

शिवतत्त्ववर्णनम् (Śiva-tattva-varṇana) — “Description/Exposition of the Principle of Śiva”

Devanagari script

अंतस्सत्त्वस्तमोबाह्यस्त्रिजगल्लयकृद्धरः

Transliteration

aṃtassattvastamobāhyastrijagallayakṛddharaḥ

Translation

Innerlich ist Er Sattva, reine Klarheit; äußerlich übersteigt Er das Tamas. Er ist der Erhalter und zugleich der, der die Auflösung der drei Welten bewirkt.

Word by Word

• अन्तःसत्त्वः: having sattva inwardly / inner sattva
• अन्तःसत्त्वः: Visheshana (विशेषण/attribute)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्तः + सत्त्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; अव्ययीभावः—अन्तः (indecl.) + सत्त्व; विशेषणरूपेण

• तमःबाह्यः: with darkness outwardly
• तमःबाह्यः: Visheshana (विशेषण/attribute)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तमस् + बाह्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तमसः बाह्यः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः)

• त्रिजगत्-लयकृत्: maker of the dissolution of the three worlds
• त्रिजगत्-लयकृत्: Visheshana (विशेषण/attribute)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि + जगत् + लय + कृत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कृत्-प्रत्ययान्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक ‘कृत्’); समासः—त्रिणां जगतां लयः तं करोति इति (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः)

• धरः: the bearer/supporter (i.e., Śiva/Rudra)
• धरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga narrative; it compresses the doctrine that the sustaining power also participates in reabsorption, while ultimate dissolution remains under the Supreme’s ordinance.

Significance: Contemplation on laya (reabsorption) as a divine function reduces fear of dissolution and supports śaraṇāgati to the Lord beyond guṇas.

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: laya (periodic reabsorption) implied

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse points to Shiva as Pati: intrinsically luminous and pure, yet transcending the darkness of tamas, and ultimately the Lord who withdraws the cosmos (laya) so the bound soul may turn toward liberation.

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

The Linga signifies Shiva as the support (dhara) of all worlds while remaining beyond limiting qualities; worship of the Saguna form trains the mind away from tamas and toward sattva, culminating in recognition of Shiva’s transcendent lordship.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditate on Shiva as the inner purity and the dissolver of bondage while reciting the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”; cultivate sattva through disciplined worship, and offer mental surrender of the three worlds into Shiva at the close of japa.