Shloka 37

Sūtasya Punargamanaṃ Kāśyāṃ—Bhasma-Rudrākṣa-Tripuṇḍra-Vidhiśca

Sūta’s Return to Kāśī and the Observances of Bhasma, Rudrākṣa, and Tripuṇḍra

Devanagari script

तत उत्थाय तरसा देवन्देवीञ्च भक्तितः । प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य पुनः प्रणम्य भुवि दण्डवत्

Transliteration

tata utthāya tarasā devandevīñca bhaktitaḥ | pradakṣiṇīkṛtya punaḥ praṇamya bhuvi daṇḍavat

Translation

Then, rising swiftly, he bowed in devotion to the Goddess and the God. Having circumambulated them in pradakṣiṇa, he again prostrated on the earth like a staff, in complete surrender.

Word by Word

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: देश/कालवाचक-अव्यय (ablatival adverb: ‘then/from there’)

• उत्थाय: having risen
• उत्थाय: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद् + स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund), ‘having risen’

• तरसा: swiftly
• तरसा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया-एकवचन-रूपेण क्रियाविशेषणवत् (instrumental used adverbially): ‘with speed’

• देवम्: the god (Śiva)
• देवम्: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• देवीम्: the goddess (Pārvatī)
• देवीम्: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction: and)

• भक्तितः: out of devotion
• भक्तितः: Hetu (हेतु/cause)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: भक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पञ्चमी-एकवचन-रूपेण हेत्वर्थे अव्ययीभाववत् (ablative used adverbially): ‘out of devotion’

• प्रदक्षिणी-कृत्य: having circumambulated
• प्रदक्षिणी-कृत्य: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + दक्षिणी + कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund), ‘having circumambulated’

• पुनः: again
• पुनः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb: again)

• प्रणम्य: having bowed
• प्रणम्य: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + नम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund), ‘having bowed’

• भुवि: on the ground
• भुवि: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भू (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन

• दण्डवत्: prostrate (like a stick)
• दण्डवत्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: दण्डवत् (अव्यय/तद्धितान्त)
• Form: रीत्यर्थक-अव्यय (manner adverb: ‘like a staff’, i.e., prostrate)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Models the core pilgrimage etiquette (pradakṣiṇā + daṇḍavat-praṇāma) as an outer sign of inner śaraṇāgati; such humility is taught as a prerequisite for receiving Śiva’s grace (anugraha).

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati

FAQs

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

It teaches Śaiva bhakti through embodied humility—standing up, circumambulating, and daṇḍavat prostration symbolize ego-surrender (āṇava-mala softening) and wholehearted refuge in Pati (Śiva) along with Śakti (Devī).

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

Pradakṣiṇā and praṇāma are core acts of saguna-upāsanā: just as devotees circle the Śiva-liṅga and bow, here the devotee honors Śiva with Devī, affirming Śiva-Śakti unity central to Purāṇic Śaivism.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Perform pradakṣiṇā (clockwise circumambulation) and daṇḍavat praṇām as a disciplined bhakti practice; it can be paired with silent japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” while maintaining reverence and inner surrender.