Shloka 38

Devanagari script

भूभिशुद्धिं ततः कृत्वा वेदीं निर्माय सुन्दरी । तथा तपस्समारब्धं मुनीनामपि दुष्करम्

Transliteration

bhūbhiśuddhiṃ tataḥ kṛtvā vedīṃ nirmāya sundarī | tathā tapassamārabdhaṃ munīnāmapi duṣkaram

Translation

Then, having purified the ground and constructed an altar (vedī), that lovely Goddess began such austerity—an undertaking difficult even for great sages.

Word by Word

• भूभि-शुद्धिम्: purification of the ground
• भूभि-शुद्धिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूभि + शुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (भूभेः शुद्धिः)

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kāla/Sequence (काल/क्रम)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रम/अपादानार्थक क्रियाविशेषण (then/from that)

• कृत्वा: having done
• कृत्वा: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययभाव (gerund); पूर्वकालिक क्रिया

• वेदीम्: altar
• वेदीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेदी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• निर्माय: having constructed
• निर्माय: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: निर्मा (धातु: निर् + मा)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययभाव (gerund) (निर्माय = निर्मा + य/क्त्वार्थ); पूर्वकालिक क्रिया

• सुन्दरी: the beautiful lady (Pārvatī)
• सुन्दरी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुन्दरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्तृपद

• तथा: thus
• तथा: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (in that manner)

• तपः: penance
• तपः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• समारब्धम्: was begun/undertaken
• समारब्धम्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-रभ् (धातु) + क्त (प्रत्यय)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; (तपः)

• मुनीनाम्: of sages
• मुनीनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• अपि: even
• अपि: Samuccaya/Emphasis (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (also/even)

• दुष्करम्: difficult
• दुष्करम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुष्कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (तपः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Ritualization of the tapas-site: bhū-śuddhi and vedi-nirmāṇa establish a consecrated arena for extraordinary austerity, later remembered as a sacred spot.

Significance: Highlights prerequisites of purity (śuddhi) and proper sacred space (vedī) before intense sādhana; inspires vrata/tapas at tīrthas.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: teaching

Ritual Elements

Offering: dhupa

Characters & Entities

• Parvati

FAQs

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

It highlights that sincere approach to Pati (Lord Shiva) begins with inner and outer purification, followed by steadfast tapas—disciplined devotion so intense that it surpasses ordinary ascetic effort.

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

The act of preparing a pure place and a vedi mirrors how devotees prepare a sanctified space for Saguna Shiva worship—especially for Linga-pūjā—where purity, order, and focused intention support steady contemplation of Shiva.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests śauca (purification) and establishing a dedicated worship/meditation seat (vedi), then undertaking sustained japa and contemplation—classically supported in Shaiva practice by Panchakshara japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with disciplined vows.