Shloka 31

प्रणवार्थ-शिवतत्त्व-निर्णयः

The Determination of Śiva as the Meaning of Praṇava

Devanagari script

तत्प्रकारमहं वक्ष्ये लोकानुग्रहकाम्यया । तव स्तेहान्महाप्राज्ञ सावधानतया शृणु

Transliteration

tatprakāramahaṃ vakṣye lokānugrahakāmyayā | tava stehānmahāprājña sāvadhānatayā śṛṇu

Translation

Now I shall explain that method, desiring the welfare of the worlds. Out of affection for you, O greatly wise one, listen with full attention.

Word by Word

• तत्-प्रकारम्: that manner/that method
• तत्-प्रकारम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + प्रकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (determinative: 'that manner'), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तम-पुरुष-सर्वनाम, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वक्ष्ये: I will tell
• वक्ष्ये: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लृट्-लकार (Simple Future), परस्मैपद, उत्तम-पुरुष (1st person), एकवचन

• लोक-अनुग्रह-काम्यया: with the wish to benefit the world
• लोक-अनुग्रह-काम्यया: Hetu (हेतु/Cause-Motive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक) + अनुग्रह (प्रातिपदिक) + काम्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (determinative: 'desire for the welfare of the world'), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; हेतौ तृतीया (instrumental of motive)

• तव: your
• तव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: मध्यम-पुरुष-सर्वनाम, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन

• स्नेहात्: out of affection
• स्नेहात्: Hetu (हेतु/Cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नेह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/5th), एकवचन

• महाप्राज्ञ: O great sage
• महाप्राज्ञ: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महā (प्रातिपदिक) + प्राज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास ('greatly wise'); पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन

• सावधानतया: with attentiveness
• सावधानतया: Karana (करण/Manner)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सावधानता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; प्रकारे तृतीया (instrumental of manner)

• शृणु: listen
• शृणु: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), परस्मैपद, मध्यम-पुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Shiva

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse highlights Śiva’s anugraha (grace): true instruction is given for loka-hita (the welfare of all beings), and the seeker’s attentive listening (śravaṇa) becomes the doorway for receiving that grace.

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

It frames Saguna Śiva as the compassionate Guru who teaches the correct ‘prakāra’ (method) of worship and sādhanā; in Linga-upāsanā, right procedure and receptive attention are essential for the worship to mature into realization.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The direct practice implied is careful śravaṇa—listening attentively to Śiva’s instructions—often paired in Shaiva practice with mantra-japa (e.g., Pañcākṣarī) and disciplined observance of the taught method.