Shloka 6

Devanagari script

अदृष्टाभ्यां तदा ताभ्यां स्वभावान्मुनिसत्तमाः । तावदृष्ट्वा तदा तौ च स्वमातृपितरौ द्विजाः

Transliteration

adṛṣṭābhyāṃ tadā tābhyāṃ svabhāvānmunisattamāḥ | tāvadṛṣṭvā tadā tau ca svamātṛpitarau dvijāḥ

Translation

O best of sages, then those two, moved by their own nature, looked on; and the two twice-born, seeing them, recognized them as their own mother and father.

Word by Word

• अदृष्टाभ्याम्: by the unseen (two)
• अदृष्टाभ्याम्: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अदृष्ट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग-सम्भव, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), द्विवचन (Dual); ‘ताभ्याम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषण

• तदा: then
• तदा: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: काल-बोधक अव्यय (adverb: then)

• ताभ्याम्: by those two
• ताभ्याम्: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग-सम्भव, तृतीया-विभक्ति, द्विवचन

• स्वभावात्: from (their) nature
• स्वभावात्: Hetu/Apadana (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वभाव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/5th), एकवचन

• मुनिसत्तमाः: the best sages
• मुनिसत्तमाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि + सत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (मुनीनां सत्तमाः)

• तावत्: then/so long
• तावत्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तावत् (अव्यय)
• Form: परिमाण/अवधि-बोधक अव्यय (adverb: so long/then)

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund), ‘having seen’

• तदा: then
• तदा: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: काल-बोधक अव्यय

• तौ: those two
• तौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), द्विवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-बोधक अव्यय

• स्वमातृपितरौ: their own mother and father
• स्वमातृपितरौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व + मातृ + पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (माता च पिता च), ‘स्व’ उपपद-विशेषण

• द्विजाः: twice-born (brahmins)
• द्विजाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘मुनिसत्तमाः’ इत्यस्य समानाधिकरण

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

FAQs

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

It highlights the awakening of right recognition (pratyabhijñā-like clarity) through svabhāva—an inner moral intuition—supporting dharma; in Shaiva perspective, such clarity becomes a preparatory purification that steadies the mind for devotion to Pati (Shiva) and liberation.

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

Though not explicitly naming the Liṅga here, Kotirudra narratives frame human relationships and dharmic recognition as part of the purifying journey that culminates in Saguna Shiva worship at Jyotirlinga tīrthas—where devotion becomes focused and grace-bearing.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is cultivation of sattvic discernment and reverence: begin worship with mental purity, offer salutations to elders/parents, then proceed with simple Śiva-upacāra—japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and, if customary, applying Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) before prayer.