Shloka 36

मुक्तयतिदेहसंस्काररहस्यं — The Esoteric Rites for the Bodies of Liberated Ascetics

Devanagari script

एतेषां सममेवात्र संस्कारक्रम उच्यते । असंस्कृतशरीराणां दौर्गत्यं नैव जायते

Transliteration

eteṣāṃ samamevātra saṃskārakrama ucyate | asaṃskṛtaśarīrāṇāṃ daurgatyaṃ naiva jāyate

Translation

Here, the same orderly sequence of purificatory rites (saṃskāras) is taught for all of these. For those whose bodies are not refined by such consecration, misfortune and spiritual decline do not arise, when they are established in Śiva’s discipline and grace.

Word by Word

• एतेषाम्: of these
• एतेषाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन (Plural), सर्वनाम-रूप (Pronoun form)

• समम्: equally
• समम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya), क्रियाविशेषण (Adverb)

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (निपात)
• Form: निपात (Particle), अव्यय

• अत्र: here
• अत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (Locative adverb)

• संस्कारक्रमः: the sequence/order of rites
• संस्कारक्रमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संस्कार + क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/प्रथमा), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (Genitive Tatpurusha): संस्कारस्य क्रमः

• उच्यते: is said/declared
• उच्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), कर्मणि-प्रयोग (Passive), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular)

• असंस्कृतशरीराणाम्: of those whose bodies are unpurified/unsanctified
• असंस्कृतशरीराणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अ + संस्कृत + शरीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), बहुवचन (Plural); कर्मधारय-समास: असंस्कृतं शरीरं येषाम् (as a descriptive compound used as a collective noun)

• दौर्गत्यम्: misfortune/ill fate
• दौर्गत्यम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुर्गति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nominative/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (निषेध-अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात (Negative particle)

• एव: at all/indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (निपात)
• Form: निपात (Particle), अव्यय

• जायते: arises/is born
• जायते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जन् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), आत्मनेपद (Ātmanepada), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Kailasa teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse emphasizes that purification is not random but a disciplined sequence (saṃskāra-krama). In a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, outer refinement supports inner fitness for Śiva’s grace, and when one is aligned with Śiva’s path, “dourgatya” (spiritual downfall) is checked by right conduct and divine protection.

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

Linga worship is traditionally approached with purity of body, speech, and mind—supported by prescribed rites and disciplines. This verse supports the idea that orderly preparation and consecration make the practitioner receptive to Saguna Śiva’s presence in the Linga, turning ritual into a vessel for devotion and liberation.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Adopt a consistent purificatory routine: daily Śiva-pūjā with cleanliness and restraint, japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and observances like vrata (especially Mahāśivarātri). Where applicable, Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa support steadiness and Śiva-smaraṇa.