Shloka 38

प्रणवमहिमा — The Greatness of the Praṇava (Om) as Śiva

Devanagari script

व्रतादिनिरतः शान्तस्तपस्वी विजितेन्द्रियः । शौचाचारसमायुक्तो भूदेवो वेदनिष्ठितः

Transliteration

vratādinirataḥ śāntastapasvī vijitendriyaḥ | śaucācārasamāyukto bhūdevo vedaniṣṭhitaḥ

Translation

He was devoted to vows and sacred observances, tranquil in nature, an ascetic who had conquered the senses. Endowed with purity and right conduct, that ‘god among men’ (the Brahmin) was firmly established in the Vedas.

Word by Word

• व्रतादिनिरतः: engaged in vows etc.
• व्रतादिनिरतः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: व्रत-आदि-निरत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—व्रतादिषु निरतः (सप्तमी-तत्पुरुष)

• शान्तः: peaceful
• शान्तः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शान्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• तपस्वी: ascetic
• तपस्वी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस्विन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; इन्-प्रत्ययान्त

• विजितेन्द्रियः: one who has conquered the senses
• विजितेन्द्रियः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विजित-इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—विजितानि इन्द्रियाणि यस्य

• शौचाचारसमायुक्तः: endowed with purity and proper conduct
• शौचाचारसमायुक्तः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शौच-आचार-सम्-आयुक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—शौचेन आचारेण च समायुक्तः (तृतीया-तत्पुरुष/बहुपद)

• भूदेवः: a brāhmaṇa (lit. god on earth)
• भूदेवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूदेव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—भूमेः देवः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/उपचारतः ब्राह्मणः)

• वेदनिष्ठितः: steadfast in the Veda
• वेदनिष्ठितः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेद-निष्ठित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—वेदे निष्ठितः (सप्तमी-तत्पुरुष)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It defines the inner qualifications for approaching Shiva: vows, austerity, sense-mastery, and purity of conduct—traits that loosen pāśa (bondage) and make the seeker fit for Shiva’s grace (pati-anugraha).

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

Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is not merely external; it is supported by śauca (purity), vrata (observance), and indriya-jaya (sense-control). Such discipline refines the devotee so Saguna Shiva’s worship becomes a direct means toward inner transformation and liberation.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The verse points to vrata with tapas and purity—practically expressed as regulated worship, fasting/observances on Shiva days, clean conduct, and steady japa (such as the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with sense-restraint.