Shloka 42

Śivapūjā-stuti: Deva-Ṛṣi-Paramparāyāṃ Śaṃkara-caritasya Prastāvaḥ

Prelude to Śaṃkara’s narrative and the lineage of Śiva-worship

Devanagari script

ततो राज्यं परित्यज्य शिवधर्मपरायणः । शिववेषधरो भक्त्या दुर्लभं मोक्षमाप्तवान्

Transliteration

tato rājyaṃ parityajya śivadharmaparāyaṇaḥ | śivaveṣadharo bhaktyā durlabhaṃ mokṣamāptavān

Translation

Thereafter, renouncing his kingdom, wholly devoted to the dharma of Śiva, and wearing the sacred guise of a Śaiva, he attained—through bhakti—the liberation that is hard to obtain.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: काल/क्रमवाचक-अव्यय (then/thereafter)

• rājyam: kingdom
• rājyam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājya (राज्य-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• parityajya: having renounced
• parityajya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/preceding action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari√tyaj (परि+त्यज् धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having abandoned’

• śiva-dharma-parāyaṇaḥ: devoted to Śiva’s dharma
• śiva-dharma-parāyaṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject; qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śiva (शिव-प्रातिपदिक) + dharma (धर्म-प्रातिपदिक) + parāyaṇa (परायण-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: शिवधर्मे परायणः = ‘devoted to Śiva’s dharma’

• śiva-veṣa-dharaḥ: wearing Śiva’s attire
• śiva-veṣa-dharaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject; qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śiva (शिव-प्रातिपदिक) + veṣa (वेष-प्रातिपदिक) + dhara (धर-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: शिववेषं धरति = ‘wearing Śiva-like garb’

• bhaktyā: by devotion
• bhaktyā: Karaṇa (करण/means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhakti (भक्ति-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• durlabham: hard-to-attain
• durlabham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: durlabha (दुर्लभ-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण (of mokṣam)

• mokṣam: liberation
• mokṣam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mokṣa (मोक्ष-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• āptavān: obtained
• āptavān: Kriyā (क्रिया; participial predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ava√āp (अव+आप् धातु)
• Form: क्तवतु-प्रत्ययान्त (past active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; ‘having obtained’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: The verse frames mokṣa as rare and attained through Śiva-bhakti coupled with śivadharma (Śaiva conduct) and external marks (śivaveṣa), echoing the Siddhānta emphasis on disciplined practice culminating in Śiva’s grace (anugraha).

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse teaches that moksha arises from wholehearted alignment with Śiva-dharma—inner surrender expressed as renunciation and steadfast devotion—showing Śiva as Pati (the liberating Lord) who grants the rare fruit of liberation to the sincere bhakta.

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

By emphasizing Śiva-dharma and Śaiva marks/guise, it points to Saguna Śiva-upāsanā—living as a Śiva-bhakta with disciplined conduct and worship (often centered on the Liṅga)—as a powerful means that matures into liberation by Śiva’s grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Adopt Śiva-dharma in daily life: maintain bhakti, keep Śaiva observances and outward signs (such as tripuṇḍra-bhasma and rudrākṣa where traditional), and stabilize the mind with japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—as a direct, devotion-filled practice.