Shloka 9

अद्वैतशैवसिद्धान्ते पुरुष-प्रकृति-विचारः

Puruṣa–Prakṛti Analysis in Advaita Śaiva Doctrine

Devanagari script

सात्त्विकादिविभेदेन गुणाः प्रकृतिसम्भवाः । गुणेभ्यो बुद्धिरुत्पन्ना वस्तुनिश्चयकारिणी

Transliteration

sāttvikādivibhedena guṇāḥ prakṛtisambhavāḥ | guṇebhyo buddhirutpannā vastuniścayakāriṇī

Translation

The guṇas—distinguished as sattva and the rest—arise from Prakṛti. From those guṇas is born buddhi (intellect), whose function is to ascertain and determine the true nature of things.

Word by Word

• सात्त्विक-आदि-विभेदेन: by the division such as sāttvika etc.
• सात्त्विक-आदि-विभेदेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सात्त्विक (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक) + विभेद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुष-समासः — ‘सात्त्विकादीनां विभेदेन’

• गुणाः: the guṇas
• गुणाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• प्रकृति-सम्भवाः: arising from prakṛti
• प्रकृति-सम्भवाः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रकृति (प्रातिपदिक) + सम्भव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); तत्पुरुष-समासः — ‘प्रकृतेः सम्भवाः’

• गुणेभ्यः: from the guṇas
• गुणेभ्यः: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• बुद्धिः: intellect (buddhi)
• बुद्धिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• उत्पन्ना: arisen
• उत्पन्ना: Kriya (क्रिया/भाव)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उत् + पद् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular); ‘उत्पन्ना’ = arisen/produced

• वस्तु-निश्चय-कारिणी: that which makes determination of objects
• वस्तु-निश्चय-कारिणी: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वस्तु (प्रातिपदिक) + निश्चय (प्रातिपदिक) + कारिणी (कृदन्त; कृ धातु, णिनि)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुष-समासः — ‘वस्तुनः निश्चयं करोति इति’

Speaker

Lord Shiva (teaching a philosophical doctrine in the Kailāsa-saṃhitā context)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Prakriti
• Gunas
• Buddhi

FAQs

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

It explains the inner mechanism of bondage and discernment: the guṇas arise from Prakṛti and shape buddhi, which can either be clouded by rajas-tamas or clarified by sattva to recognize the path toward Shiva (Pati) and liberation.

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

Linga/Saguna worship disciplines the guṇas—especially by increasing sattva—so buddhi becomes steady and discriminative, enabling the devotee to perceive Shiva’s presence beyond mere sensory appearances and progress from form-based devotion toward deeper realization.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Adopt sattvic conduct and daily japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with meditation on Shiva; this refines the guṇas and strengthens buddhi’s power of right discernment.