Shloka 36

दशशैवव्रतप्रश्नः — Inquiry into the Ten Principal Śaiva Vratas

Devanagari script

पार्थिवं च तदा श्रेष्ठं विदध्यान्मंत्रवान्यदि । कृतनित्यक्रियः पश्चात्पार्थिवं च समर्चयेत्

Transliteration

pārthivaṃ ca tadā śreṣṭhaṃ vidadhyānmaṃtravānyadi | kṛtanityakriyaḥ paścātpārthivaṃ ca samarcayet

Translation

Then, if he is one empowered with mantra, he should fashion an excellent Pārthiva Liṅga, an earthen liṅga. After completing his daily obligatory rites, he should thereafter worship that earthen liṅga with due reverence.

Word by Word

• पार्थिवम्: an earthen (liṅga/object)
• पार्थिवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्थिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; Accusative singular (earthen/earth-made object, esp. liṅga)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha/Avyaya (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (and)

• तदा: then
• तदा: Kala-adhikarana (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक (then/at that time)

• श्रेष्ठम्: excellent
• श्रेष्ठम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रेष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; Accusative singular qualifying पार्थिवम्

• विदध्यात्: should prepare/construct
• विदध्यात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √धा (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; (he) should make/arrange

• मन्त्रवान्: one endowed with mantra
• मन्त्रवान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मन्त्रवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nominative singular (one possessing mantra/initiated)

• यदि: if
• यदि: Sambandha/Avyaya (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; शर्तार्थक-निपात (if)

• कृत-नित्य-क्रियः: one who has performed the daily rites
• कृत-नित्य-क्रियः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत (कृदन्त; √कृ, क्त) + नित्य (प्रातिपदिक) + क्रिया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः (नित्यक्रिया कृत यस्य); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; adjectival PPP-based compound

• पश्चात्: afterwards
• पश्चात्: Kala-adhikarana (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पश्चात् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; काल/क्रमवाचक (afterwards)

• पार्थिवम्: the earthen (liṅga/object)
• पार्थिवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्थिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; Accusative singular

• च: and
• च: Sambandha/Avyaya (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (and)

• समर्चयेत्: should worship
• समर्चयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्+√अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; should worship properly

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahadeva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Linga

FAQs

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

It teaches that Shiva-worship should be grounded in purity and discipline: first nitya-karma (daily duties), then focused devotion through a consecrated act—forming and worshiping the Pārthiva Liṅga—so the mind becomes fit for Shiva’s grace (anugraha).

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

The earthen Liṅga is a Saguna support for meditation and devotion, allowing the devotee to approach the formless (Nirguna) Shiva through a tangible symbol (Liṅga) sanctified by mantra and reverent worship.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Perform daily purificatory obligations first, then make a clay Liṅga and worship it with mantra—commonly with the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”)—as a structured practice suitable for vrata observance and Mahāśivarātri devotion.