Shloka 4

Śiva-jñāna and the Non-dual Vision of a Śiva-maya Universe (शिवज्ञानम्—सर्वं शिवमयम्)

Devanagari script

यथैकं च सुवर्णादि मिलितं रजतादिना

Transliteration

yathaikaṃ ca suvarṇādi militaṃ rajatādinā

Translation

Just as gold and the like, when alloyed with silver and other metals, appear as a single blended substance.

Word by Word

• यथा: just as
• यथा: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; comparative particle

• एकम्: one
• एकम्: Karta/Karma (कर्ता/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; (implicit subject/object) ‘one (mass)’

• च: and
• च: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; conjunction

• सुवर्ण-आदि: gold and the like
• सुवर्ण-आदि: Karta/Karma (कर्ता/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुवर्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘सुवर्णादि’ = gold etc. (आदि-समाहार)

• मिलितम्: mixed/combined
• मिलितम्: Kriyā/predicate (विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मिल् (धातु)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘mixed/combined’

• रजत-आदिना: with silver and the like
• रजत-आदिना: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रजत (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3 विभक्ति/करण), एकवचन; ‘with silver etc.’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

FAQs

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

It uses an alloy metaphor: when the pure is mixed with the impure, distinctions become obscured. Shaiva Siddhanta applies this to the self (pashu) appearing bound due to association with mala (impurity) and pasha (bondage), until purified by Shiva’s grace and right practice.

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

The Linga worship emphasizes purification and reintegration of awareness into Shiva. As alloyed metals lose their clear identity, the bound soul’s clarity is veiled; through Saguna Shiva worship (Linga, mantra, puja), the seeker refines the inner instrument to recognize Shiva as Pati, distinct from pasha and mala.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Adopt purifying disciplines—japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), Tripuṇḍra bhasma as a reminder of inner cleansing, and steady dhyāna on the Linga—so the mind becomes ‘refined’ like purified gold.