Shloka 58

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

Devanagari script

गृह्णीयाद्दण्डकौपीनाद्युचितं लोकवर्तने । विरक्तश्चेन गृह्णीयाल्लोकवृत्तिविचारणे

Transliteration

gṛhṇīyāddaṇḍakaupīnādyucitaṃ lokavartane | viraktaścena gṛhṇīyāllokavṛttivicāraṇe

Translation

For moving about among people, one may accept what is suitable—such as a staff (daṇḍa) and a loincloth (kaupīna). But if one is truly detached, one should accept not even these, after carefully reflecting on worldly conventions.

Word by Word

• gṛhṇīyāt: should take/accept
• gṛhṇīyāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: grah (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular, Parasmaipada

• daṇḍa-kaupīna-ādi: from (among) staff, loincloth, etc.
• daṇḍa-kaupīna-ādi: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक) + kaupīna (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular; 'from staff, loincloth, etc.' (ādigaṇa)

• ucitam: what is appropriate
• ucitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ucita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; agrees with implied 'vastu/dravya'

• loka-vartane: in worldly conduct
• loka-vartane: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: loka (प्रातिपदिक) + vartana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• viraktaḥ: detached/dispassionate
• viraktaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: virakta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; conjunction (समुच्चयार्थक)

• ena: by this/thereby
• ena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; pronoun used adverbially: 'by this/thereby'

• gṛhṇīyāt: should take
• gṛhṇīyāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: grah (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person, Singular, Parasmaipada

• loka-vṛtti-vicāraṇe: in examining worldly livelihood/behavior
• loka-vṛtti-vicāraṇe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: loka (प्रातिपदिक) + vṛtti (प्रातिपदिक) + vicāraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

Speaker

Lord Shiva (teaching the discipline of renunciation as preserved in the Kailasa Samhita, narrated in the Purana tradition by Suta Goswami)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that external renunciant marks are secondary; true liberation-oriented practice is inner detachment (vairagya) and discernment, so the aspirant remains free from bondage (pāśa) even while navigating society.

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

Linga-worship in Shaiva Siddhanta emphasizes inner purity and surrender to Pati (Shiva). This verse aligns with that by prioritizing inner renunciation over outward identity, making worship a means to loosen attachment rather than display asceticism.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is disciplined simplicity: keep only what supports sādhana. Practically, maintain steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and meditative self-inquiry into one’s dependence on social approval and possessions.