Shloka 63

गिरिजाया तपोऽनुज्ञा

Permission for Girijā’s Austerities

Devanagari script

महतां धर्म्मवृद्धेषु गमनं श्रेय उच्यते । प्रमाणं तपसो नास्ति मान्यो धर्म्मस्सदा बुधैः

Transliteration

mahatāṃ dharmmavṛddheṣu gamanaṃ śreya ucyate | pramāṇaṃ tapaso nāsti mānyo dharmmassadā budhaiḥ

Translation

To approach the great ones—those advanced in dharma—is declared to be a true good. There is no fixed measure for austerity (tapas); therefore the wise ever honor dharma as worthy of reverence.

Word by Word

• mahatām: of the great
• mahatām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural; 'of great (persons)'

• dharma-vṛddheṣu: among the dharma-advanced (elders in righteousness)
• dharma-vṛddheṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + vṛddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural; 'in/among those advanced in dharma'

• gamanam: going/visiting
• gamanam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gamana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• śreyaḥ: a good/benefit
• śreyaḥ: Pradhāna (प्रधान/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śreyas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; predicate nominative

• ucyate: is said
• ucyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (वच् धातु)
• Form: Laṭ (लट्, Present), Ātmanepada (passive form), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular; passive 'is said'

• pramāṇam: measure/standard
• pramāṇam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pramāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• tapasaḥ: of austerity
• tapasaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tapas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; 'of austerity'

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle (निषेध)

• asti: exists
• asti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √as (अस् धातु)
• Form: Laṭ (लट्, Present), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular

• mānyaḥ: worthy of honor
• mānyaḥ: Pradhāna (प्रधान/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mānya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; predicate adjective qualifying 'dharmaḥ'

• dharmaḥ: dharma/righteousness
• dharmaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• sadā: always
• sadā: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sadā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (कालवाचक अव्यय)

• budhaiḥ: by the wise
• budhaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: budha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating Shiva Purana teachings to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya within the Rudra Saṃhitā context)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Teaches satsanga: approaching dharma-advanced ‘mahat’ is śreyas; supports pilgrimage ethos of seeking holy persons/kshetras for uplift and right conduct.

FAQs

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

It teaches that spiritual progress is strengthened by seeking the company and guidance of those established in dharma, and that true greatness is measured by steadfast righteousness rather than by displaying extreme austerities.

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

Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is grounded in śuddha-ācāra (pure conduct), humility, and reverence for dharmic elders; the verse emphasizes that devotion to Saguna Shiva becomes fruitful when supported by dharma rather than mere outward tapas.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Prioritize satsanga and service to dharmic elders, and practice steady daily Shiva-upāsanā—such as japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya)—with disciplined conduct, instead of pursuing unmeasured or prideful austerities.