Shloka 35

Devanagari script

कन्दे शिवात्मको धर्मो नाले ज्ञानं शिवाश्रयम् । कर्णिकोपरि वाह्नेयं मंडलं सौरमैन्दवम्

Transliteration

kande śivātmako dharmo nāle jñānaṃ śivāśrayam | karṇikopari vāhneyaṃ maṃḍalaṃ sauramaindavam

Translation

In the bulb (kanda) is Dharma whose very essence is Śiva; in the stalk (nāla) is Knowledge resting in Śiva. Above the pericarp are the sacred circles (maṇḍalas)—of Fire, of the Sun, and of the Moon.

Word by Word

• kande: in the bulb/root (kanda)
• kande: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kanda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (m.), Saptamī (7th), Ekavacana; Adhikaraṇa

• śivātmakaḥ: of the nature of Śiva
• śivātmakaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śiva + ātmaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (m.), Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; qualifies dharmaḥ

• dharmaḥ: dharma
• dharmaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (m.), Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; subject/predicate-noun in locative statement

• nāle: in the stalk/channel (nāla)
• nāle: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (m.), Saptamī (7th), Ekavacana; Adhikaraṇa

• jñānam: knowledge
• jñānam: Karta/Viśeṣya (कर्ता/विशेष्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jñāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga (n.), Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; predicate-noun

• śivāśrayam: resting in Śiva / having Śiva as support
• śivāśrayam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śiva + āśraya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga (n.), Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; agrees with jñānam

• karṇikā-upari: above the pericarp
• karṇikā-upari: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: karṇikā (प्रातिपदिक) + upari (अव्यय)
• Form: Locative-meaning adverbial phrase; upari = indeclinable adverb ‘above’

• vāhneyaṃ: fiery (of Agni)
• vāhneyaṃ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vāhneya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga (n.), Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; qualifies maṇḍalam; ‘of Agni/fire’

• maṇḍalam: circle/orb
• maṇḍalam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maṇḍala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga (n.), Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; subject/predicate-noun

• sauraṃ: solar
• sauraṃ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saura (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga (n.), Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; qualifier (sun-related)

• aindavam: lunar
• aindavam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aindava (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga (n.), Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; qualifier (moon-related)

Speaker

Lord Shiva (teaching the inner yogic/linga meditation in Kailāsa discourse)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Umā

Role: creative

Ritual Elements

Offering: dipa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Agni
• Surya
• Chandra

FAQs

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

It maps inner yogic contemplation to Śiva-tattva: dharma and jñāna are not separate achievements but are rooted in Śiva, and the subtle “mandalas” (fire, sun, moon) indicate progressive purification and illumination of consciousness leading toward Śiva-realization.

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

The verse treats the inner lotus as a living linga-field: dharma and jñāna culminate in Śiva as the support (āśraya). The fire–sun–moon spheres are contemplative supports (saguṇa upāsanā) that steady the mind so it can recognize Śiva as the indwelling Pati.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A dhyāna practice: visualize the lotus-center with its bulb, stalk, and pericarp, then contemplate the fire, sun, and moon mandalas above it while repeating the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), letting dharma and jñāna rest in Śiva.