Shloka 51

Paramātma-Svarūpa-Nirṇaya: Strī–Puṃ–Napuṃsaka-Vicāra

Inquiry into the Supreme Self and Gendered Forms

Devanagari script

तस्मादात्मन एवेदं रूपमित्येव निश्चितम् । प्रपंचार्थं प्रवक्ष्यामि प्रणवै क्यप्रदर्शनम्

Transliteration

tasmādātmana evedaṃ rūpamityeva niścitam | prapaṃcārthaṃ pravakṣyāmi praṇavai kyapradarśanam

Translation

Therefore it is firmly concluded that this form indeed arises from the Self (Ātman) alone. Now, for the sake of explaining manifestation in the world-process, I shall expound the essential oneness revealed by the Praṇava (Oṁ).

Word by Word

• तस्मात्: therefore/from that
• तस्मात्: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तस्मद् (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: तस्मात्-शब्दः; हेत्वर्थे/तस्मादिति अव्ययीभाववत् प्रयोगः (ablatival adverb: 'therefore/from that')

• आत्मनः: of the Self
• आत्मनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Sambandha (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-अव्यय (particle of emphasis)

• इदम्: this (thing)
• इदम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता/विषय), एकवचन; सर्वनाम-शब्दः

• रूपम्: form/nature
• रूपम्: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (समानााधिकरण/विषय), एकवचन

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (उद्धरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/वाक्यसमाप्त्यर्थक-अव्यय (quotative particle)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-अव्यय

• निश्चितम्: ascertained/decided
• निश्चितम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (विधेयविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नि + √चि (धातु) → निश्चित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्तः (past passive participle)

• प्रपञ्चार्थम्: for the purpose of explanation/expansion
• प्रपञ्चार्थम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रपञ्च + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/प्रयोजन), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (प्रपञ्चस्य अर्थः/प्रयोजनम्)

• प्रवक्ष्यामि: I shall explain
• प्रवक्ष्यामि: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + √वच् (धातु)
• Form: लृट्-लकार (Simple Future), परस्मैपद, उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन

• प्रणवैः: by/with the praṇavas (sacred syllables)
• प्रणवैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रणव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन

• क्यप्रदर्शनम्: the demonstration/exposition of 'kya' (reading uncertain)
• क्यप्रदर्शनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्य (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक-रूपेण) + प्रदर्शन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (क्यस्य प्रदर्शनम्); पाठभेद/दुर्लभपदत्वात् अर्थग्रहणं सन्दिग्धम्

Speaker

Lord Shiva

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Īśāna

Mantra Metadata

Mantra: oṃ

Type: panchakshara

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It asserts that all manifested form is rooted in the Supreme Self (Śiva) and points the seeker to Praṇava (Oṁ) as the key to realizing unity behind diversity—an inward turn from prapañca to Pati (the Lord).

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

By saying “this form is from the Self,” it supports Saguna worship (Linga, icon, mantra) as a compassionate manifestation of the Nirguna Reality. The Praṇava-centered teaching bridges form-based devotion and formless realization.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditate on Praṇava (Oṁ) with the understanding of its unity—either as japa of “Oṁ” or as the seed preceding Panchākṣarī practice (Oṁ Namaḥ Śivāya), using steady breath and one-pointed awareness.