Shloka 49

प्रणवार्थपद्धतिवर्णनम्

Methodical Explanation of the Meaning of Praṇava/Om

Devanagari script

अतिगुह्यमिदम्विप्राः प्रणवार्थप्रकाशकम् । शिवज्ञानपरं ह्येतद्भवतामार्तिनाशनम्

Transliteration

atiguhyamidamviprāḥ praṇavārthaprakāśakam | śivajñānaparaṃ hyetadbhavatāmārtināśanam

Translation

O brāhmaṇas, this teaching is exceedingly secret; it illumines the true meaning of the Praṇava (Oṁ). It is wholly devoted to the knowledge of Śiva, and it destroys your afflictions and suffering.

Word by Word

• अति: very, exceedingly
• अति: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण-भाव/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपसर्ग/अव्यय (intensifier)

• गुह्यम्: secret, confidential
• गुह्यम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गुह्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति; एकवचन (agreeing with इदम्)

• इदम्: this (teaching)
• इदम्: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्य-वाक्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति; एकवचन

• विप्राः: O brāhmaṇas
• विप्राः: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति; बहुवचन; संबोधनार्थे प्रयुक्त (address)

• प्रणव-अर्थ-प्रकाशकम्: revealing the meaning of the praṇava (Oṃ)
• प्रणव-अर्थ-प्रकाशकम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रणव (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रकाशक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति; एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (प्रणवस्य अर्थस्य प्रकाशकः)

• शिव-ज्ञान-परम्: supreme as Śiva-knowledge / devoted to Śiva-knowledge
• शिव-ज्ञान-परम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक) + ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक) + पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति; एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (शिवज्ञानं परं यस्य/यत्)

• हि: indeed, for
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्य-सम्बन्धक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (emphatic/causal particle)

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्य-वाक्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति; एकवचन

• भवताम्: of you (honored ones)
• भवताम्: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भवत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (आदरार्थे); षष्ठी विभक्ति; बहुवचन

• आर्ति-नाशनम्: destroyer of distress
• आर्ति-नाशनम्: Pradhāna-pada (प्रधान/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आर्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + नाशन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति; एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (आर्तेः नाशनम्)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It declares that the highest, most guarded instruction is the realization-centered knowledge of Śiva, revealed through understanding the Praṇava (Om), and that such Śiva-jñāna removes existential distress (ārti) and leads toward liberation.

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

By pointing to Praṇava-meaning and Śiva-jñāna, the verse frames external worship (including Liṅga-pūjā and devotion to Saguna Śiva) as a gateway to inner realization—moving from form-based devotion to direct knowledge of Śiva as Pati, the liberating Lord.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditative japa and contemplation of the Praṇava (Om) with Śiva-bhāva—often supported in Shaiva practice by mantra-dhyāna (including Pañcākṣarī, "Om Namaḥ Śivāya")—is implied as the means to awaken Śiva-jñāna and dissolve distress.