Shloka 29

Niṣādasya Bhillasya Itihāsaḥ — Śivarātri-vrata-prabhāvaḥ

The Hunter’s Account and the Efficacy of the Śivarātri Observance

Devanagari script

स्थिता सत्येन धरणी सत्येनैव च वारिधिः । सत्येन जलधाराश्च सत्ये सर्वम्प्रतिष्ठितम्

Transliteration

sthitā satyena dharaṇī satyenaiva ca vāridhiḥ | satyena jaladhārāśca satye sarvampratiṣṭhitam

Translation

By Truth the earth stands firm; by Truth indeed the ocean endures. By Truth the streams of water flow—upon Truth everything in the world is established.

Word by Word

• स्थिता: stands; is established
• स्थिता: Kriya (क्रिया—भाव)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्था (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-कृदन्त (past passive participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेयविशेषण (धरणी)

• सत्येन: by truth
• सत्येन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; करण

• धरणी: the earth
• धरणी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धरणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सत्येन: by truth
• सत्येन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; करण

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध—emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक अव्यय (indeed/only)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (and)

• वारिधिः: the ocean
• वारिधिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वारिधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सत्येन: by truth
• सत्येन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; करण

• जलधाराः: streams of water
• जलधाराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जलधारा (प्रातिपदिक) = जल + धारा
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (जलस्य धाराः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (and)

• सत्ये: in truth; on truth
• सत्ये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; अधिकरण

• सर्वम्: everything
• सर्वम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• प्रतिष्ठितम्: is established
• प्रतिष्ठितम्: Kriya (क्रिया—भाव)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र + स्था (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-कृदन्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेयविशेषण (सर्वम्)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: General dharma-teaching: satya is presented as the sustaining principle by which the cosmos ‘stands’—a universalized sthiti-doctrine rather than a site-specific legend.

Significance: Frames satya (truthfulness) as a foundational vrata-like discipline; pilgrimage merit is implicitly tied to living satya as a form of worship.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

FAQs

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

It teaches that satya (truth) is not merely morality but a sustaining cosmic principle; in Shaiva understanding, aligning speech, mind, and conduct with truth steadies the soul (paśu) and prepares it for Shiva’s grace toward liberation.

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

Linga-worship is upheld by inner and outer purity; truthfulness is a primary vow that makes offerings, japa, and pilgrimage fruitful. Saguna Shiva is pleased when devotion is supported by satya, making worship stable like the earth and ocean mentioned here.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Adopt satya as a daily vrata: speak truth, avoid deceit, and support it with Panchakshara japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) before worship; truthfulness becomes the inner discipline that strengthens mantra and meditation.