Shloka 38

Śiva–Arjuna Yuddha and the Subjugation of Pride (Śiva-parīkṣā)

Devanagari script

शुद्धस्फटिकसंकाशशुद्धकर्पूरवर्ष्मणे । पिनाकपाणये तुभ्यन्त्रिशूलवरधारिणे

Transliteration

śuddhasphaṭikasaṃkāśaśuddhakarpūravarṣmaṇe | pinākapāṇaye tubhyantriśūlavaradhāriṇe

Translation

Ehrerbietung Dir—dessen Leib rein und strahlend ist wie makelloser Kristall, dessen Gestalt unbefleckt ist wie Kampfer; Dir, der den Pināka-Bogen in der Hand hält und den vortrefflichen Dreizack trägt.

Word by Word

• शुद्ध: pure
• शुद्ध: समास-पूर्वपद (Compound member)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रातिपदिक; compound member ‘pure’

• स्फटिक: crystal
• स्फटिक: समास-पूर्वपद (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्फटिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (प्रयोगानुसार), प्रातिपदिक; compound member ‘crystal’

• संकाश: to (him) resembling pure crystal
• संकाश: सम्प्रदान (Recipient)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संकाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन — dative singular in ‘शुद्ध-स्फटिक-संकाश’ = ‘resembling pure crystal’

• शुद्ध: pure
• शुद्ध: समास-पूर्वपद (Compound member)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रातिपदिक; compound member ‘pure’

• कर्पूर: camphor
• कर्पूर: समास-पूर्वपद (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्पूर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक; compound member ‘camphor’

• वर्ष्मणे: to (him) whose body is (like) pure camphor
• वर्ष्मणे: सम्प्रदान (Recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ष्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन — dative singular; ‘शुद्ध-कर्पूर-वर्ष्मन्’ = ‘whose body is (like) pure camphor’

• पिनाक: Pināka (bow)
• पिनाक: समास-पूर्वपद (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिनाक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक; compound member ‘Pināka (bow)’

• पाणये: to (him) with Pināka in hand
• पाणये: सम्प्रदान (Recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन — dative singular; ‘पिनाक-पाणि’ = ‘having Pināka in hand’

• तुभ्यम्: to you
• तुभ्यम्: सम्प्रदान (Recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: चतुर्थी, एकवचन — dative singular ‘to you’

• त्रिशूल: trident
• त्रिशूल: समास-पूर्वपद (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रिशूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक; compound member ‘trident’

• वर: boon
• वर: समास-पूर्वपद (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक; compound member ‘boon’

• धारिणे: to the bearer of the trident and (giver of) boons
• धारिणे: सम्प्रदान (Recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धारिन् (प्रातिपदिक; from √धृ धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन — dative singular; ‘त्रिशूल-वर-धारिन्’ interpreted as द्वन्द्व in objects carried (bearing trident and boon-bestowing power)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Kedāranātha

Sthala Purana: The crystal-like purity and snow-bright radiance resonate with Kedāra’s Himalayan Śiva, where austerity and purity motifs dominate the sthala memory of Śiva’s presence in the high mountains.

Significance: Purification of mind and senses, strengthening of dharma and steadiness (sthiti) through darśana of the Himalayan Lord.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse meditates on Shiva’s stainless purity and self-luminous divinity (Pati), presenting His form as a compassionate, graspable focus for bhakti; such contemplation purifies the pashu (bound soul) and loosens pasha (bondage) through reverent remembrance.

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

Though Shiva is ultimately nirguṇa, this verse praises His saguna manifestation—radiant, weapon-bearing, and gracious—supporting temple and Liṅga-worship where devotees visualize the Lord’s auspicious form while offering mantra, flowers, and devotion.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Use the verse as a dhyāna (visualization) while repeating the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” mentally beholding Shiva as crystal-bright and camphor-pure; it pairs well with Mahāśivarātri japa and simple Liṅga-archana.