Shloka 39

Garbha-sthiti, Deha-pariṇāma, and Vairāgya-upadeśa

Embryonic Condition, Bodily Transformation, and Instruction in Detachment

Devanagari script

अस्थिपादतुलास्तंभं स्नायुबन्धेन यंत्रितम् । रक्तमांसमृदालिप्तं विण्मूत्रद्रव्यभाजनम्

Transliteration

asthipādatulāstaṃbhaṃ snāyubandhena yaṃtritam | raktamāṃsamṛdāliptaṃ viṇmūtradravyabhājanam

Translation

Dieser Körper ist ein Gerüst aus Knochen—wie Füße, Balken und Pfeiler—durch die Fesseln der Sehnen zusammengehalten; mit dem Lehm von Fleisch und Blut verstrichen, ist er nur ein Gefäß für Kot und Urin. Aus śaivischer Sicht darf diese vergängliche Hülle nicht für das Selbst gehalten werden; suche Zuflucht bei Pati (Śiva), dem Befreier aus der Bindung.

Word by Word

• अस्थि-पाद-तुला-स्तम्भम्: a pillar-like frame comparable to bones and feet
• अस्थि-पाद-तुला-स्तम्भम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्थि + पाद + तुला + स्तम्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (determinative): अस्थिभिः पादैः तुल्यः स्तम्भः / अस्थिपादतुल्यः स्तम्भः (contextual)

• स्नायु-बन्धेन: by the binding of sinews
• स्नायु-बन्धेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नायु + बन्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: स्नायूनां बन्धः

• यन्त्रितम्: restrained/fastened
• यन्त्रितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यन्त्र् (धातु) + क्त (प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (स्तम्भम्)

• रक्त-मांस-मृदा-लिप्तम्: smeared with blood, flesh, and clay
• रक्त-मांस-मृदा-लिप्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रक्त + मांस + मृदा + लिप्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष: रक्तेन मांसैः मृदा च लिप्तम् (smeared with blood, flesh, and clay)

• विण्-मूत्र-द्रव्य-भाजनम्: a receptacle of feces and urine
• विण्-मूत्र-द्रव्य-भाजनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विण् + मूत्र + द्रव्य + भाजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष: विण्मूत्रयोः द्रव्याणां भाजनम् (container of feces/urine substances)

Speaker

Lord Shiva (teaching Umā/Parvati in the Umāsaṃhitā)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati

FAQs

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

It cultivates vairāgya (dispassion) by exposing the body’s constructed and impure nature, redirecting the seeker from body-identification (pāśa/bondage) to devotion and surrender to Shiva (Pati), who grants liberation.

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

By devaluing attachment to the transient body, the verse encourages anchoring awareness in Shiva’s sacred presence—commonly approached through Saguna worship such as the Shiva Linga—so the mind turns from the impure vessel to the pure Lord who is the inner Self of all.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice contemplative detachment (śarīra-anityatā bhāvanā) alongside Shiva-upāsanā—japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and, where appropriate, Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders to transcend bodily identity.