Shloka 124

Praṇava-Māhātmya and the Twofold Mantra (Sūkṣma–Sthūla) in Śaiva Sādhanā

Devanagari script

क्षत्रियः पंचलक्षेण क्षत्त्रत्वमपनेष्यति । पुनश्च पंचलक्षेण क्षत्त्रियो ब्राह्मणो भवेत्

Transliteration

kṣatriyaḥ paṃcalakṣeṇa kṣattratvamapaneṣyati | punaśca paṃcalakṣeṇa kṣattriyo brāhmaṇo bhavet

Translation

Durch fünf Lakhs (Wiederholungen) legt ein Kṣatriya das Kṣatriya-Sein ab; und wiederum durch weitere fünf Lakhs wird dieser Kṣatriya zu einem Brāhmaṇa. So weist das Purāṇa auf die innere Veredelung durch die auf Śiva ausgerichtete Disziplin hin.

Word by Word

• क्षत्रियः: a kshatriya
• क्षत्रियः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षत्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• पञ्चलक्षेण: by (the count of) five lakhs
• पञ्चलक्षेण: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पञ्चलक्ष (प्रातिपदिक: पञ्च + लक्ष)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; द्विगुसमास (संख्यापूर्वक)

• क्षत्त्रत्वम्: kshatriya-hood
• क्षत्त्रत्वम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षत्त्रत्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• अपनेष्यति: will remove
• अपनेष्यति: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अप + नी (धातु)
• Form: लृट् (Simple Future), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• पुनः: again
• पुनः: सम्बन्ध/क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• पञ्चलक्षेण: by five lakhs
• पञ्चलक्षेण: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पञ्चलक्ष (प्रातिपदिक: पञ्च + लक्ष)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; द्विगुसमास

• क्षत्त्रियः: the kshatriya
• क्षत्त्रियः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षत्त्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• ब्राह्मणः: a brahmin
• ब्राह्मणः: कर्तृसमानााधिकरण/विधेय (Predicate)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विधेय (predicate nominative)

• भवेत्: would become / may become
• भवेत्: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Emphasizes inner qualification (adhikāra) and purification over inherited status; points to Śiva’s grace as enabling ascent in spiritual eligibility.

Mantra Metadata

Mantra: (implied) namaḥ śivāya

Type: panchakshara

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that sustained Śiva-centered discipline (such as prescribed japa or observance counted in lakhs) purifies character and tendencies, enabling a person to rise toward brahminical qualities—steadiness, restraint, and devotion—supporting the path to mokṣa.

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

Large-count practices are typically performed in the presence of the Śiva-liṅga with faith in Saguna Śiva, using worship, japa, and vows to refine the devotee; the verse highlights transformation as the fruit of such liṅga-centered sādhana.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A high-count japa/observance measured in “pañca-lakṣa” units—commonly understood as repeated mantra practice (often the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) supported by purity, vrata, and regular Śiva-pūjā.