Shloka 96

प्रणवार्थ-शिवतत्त्व-निर्णयः

The Determination of Śiva as the Meaning of Praṇava

Devanagari script

आत्मानमन्तरात्मानं ज्ञानात्मानं पुरं पुनः । आत्मानं च समुच्चार्य प्रजापतिमतः परम्

Transliteration

ātmānamantarātmānaṃ jñānātmānaṃ puraṃ punaḥ | ātmānaṃ ca samuccārya prajāpatimataḥ param

Translation

Again and again, he should utter (and contemplate) the Self—the Inner Self, the Self of pure knowledge—and in that very way proclaim the Self as the supreme Reality, beyond even the sphere of Prajāpati (Brahmā’s cosmic ordinance).

Word by Word

• आत्मानम्: the Self
• आत्मानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• अन्तर-आत्मानम्: the inner Self
• अन्तर-आत्मानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्तर् (प्रातिपदिक) + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); कर्मधारय: अन्तरः आत्मा (inner self)

• ज्ञान-आत्मानम्: the knowledge-self (whose nature is knowledge)
• ज्ञान-आत्मानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक) + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुष: ज्ञानस्वरूप आत्मा (self of knowledge)

• पुरम्: the city/fortress (body as city)
• पुरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• पुनः: again/further
• पुनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb), पुनरुक्ति/पुनरावृत्त्यर्थक (again/further)

• आत्मानम्: the Self
• आत्मानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

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

• समुच्चार्य: having uttered
• समुच्चार्य: Kriyā (क्रिया; पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-उत्-चर् (धातु)
• Form: ल्यप्/क्त्वा-समकक्ष अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund), 'having uttered/recited'

• प्रजापति-मतः: according to Prajāpati's doctrine
• प्रजापति-मतः: Apādāna (अपादान; 'according to/from')
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रजापति (प्रातिपदिक) + मत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/5th), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुष: प्रजापतेः मतम् (according to Prajāpati's view)

• परम्: the supreme (one/teaching)
• परम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण (qualifying an implied object/teaching)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Transcendence of Prajāpati-loka (Brahmā’s ordinance) as a marker of Śiva’s para-tattva beyond cosmic governance.

Characters & Entities

• Prajapati (Brahma)
• Atman (Inner Self)

FAQs

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

It directs the seeker to repeated contemplation and recitation centered on the indwelling Consciousness (the Inner Self), pointing to the supreme Pati (Lord) who transcends even the creator’s cosmic jurisdiction—indicating liberation through inner realization rather than external status.

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

In Shaiva understanding, Saguna worship (including Linga-upasana) purifies and steadies the mind, culminating in recognition of Shiva as the Inner Self (antarātman). This verse emphasizes that the ultimate aim of worship is inner realization of the supreme Reality beyond cosmic functions.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A japa-and-dhyana practice: repeatedly recite and contemplate the Self as pure consciousness (jñānātman), turning attention inward. Practically, this aligns with mantra-japa (such as the Panchakshara) supported by steady meditation on the indwelling Shiva.