Shloka 36

शिवध्यानपूजनवर्णनम्

Description of Śiva Meditation and Worship

Devanagari script

आत्मविद्या शिवाख्यं च तत्त्वत्रयमतः परम् । सर्वासनोपरि सुखं विचित्रकुसुमोज्ज्वलम्

Transliteration

ātmavidyā śivākhyaṃ ca tattvatrayamataḥ param | sarvāsanopari sukhaṃ vicitrakusumojjvalam

Translation

Beyond the triad of tattvas stands the principle known as Śiva, the very Self‑knowledge (ātma‑vidyā). Above all seats, it is the blissful supreme seat, radiant with wondrous flowers.

Word by Word

• ātma-vidyā: self-knowledge / knowledge of the Self
• ātma-vidyā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक) + vidyā (प्रातिपदिक); ātmavidyā (समास)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• śiva-ākhyam: called ‘Śiva’
• śiva-ākhyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक) + ākhya (प्रातिपदिक); śivākhya (समास)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा) or Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); adjective meaning “named/called”

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• tattva-trayam: the triad of principles
• tattva-trayam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tattva (प्रातिपदिक) + traya (प्रातिपदिक); tattvatraya (समास)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा) or Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• ataḥ: thereafter / from that
• ataḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb/particle (अव्यय), expressing ‘thereafter/therefrom’

• param: supreme / beyond
• param: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा) or Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• sarva-āsana-upari: above all seats / on top of every seat
• sarva-āsana-upari: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + āsana (प्रातिपदिक) + upari (अव्यय); sarvāsanopari (समास)
• Form: Adverbial compound (अव्ययीभाव), functioning as locative sense

• sukham: pleasant / comfortable
• sukham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sukha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा) or Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• vicitra-kusuma-ujjvalam: bright with variegated flowers
• vicitra-kusuma-ujjvalam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vicitra (प्रातिपदिक) + kusuma (प्रातिपदिक) + ujjvala (प्रातिपदिक); vicitrakusumojjvala (समास)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा) or Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Kailasa discourse to the sages, summarizing the supremacy of Shiva-tattva)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It identifies Śiva as the supreme reality beyond the foundational triad of principles, equating true liberation with ātma-vidyā (direct Self-knowledge) that culminates in bliss.

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

While Śiva is proclaimed transcendent (beyond tattvas), the imagery of a radiant ‘seat’ supports Saguna contemplation—devotees worship the Linga and Shiva’s abode as sacred supports that lead the mind toward the formless Shiva-tattva.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditative recollection of Shiva as the inner Self (ātma-vidyā) is implied; as a practical Shaiva method, one may steady the mind with the Panchakshara ‘Om Namaḥ Śivāya’ while visualizing Shiva’s blissful, luminous abode.