Shloka 5

Devanagari script

शंकरस्य स्वरूपं तु जानामि सुविशेषतः । शिवतत्त्वमतो वच्मि सुविचार्य्य यथार्हतः

Transliteration

śaṃkarasya svarūpaṃ tu jānāmi suviśeṣataḥ | śivatattvamato vacmi suvicāryya yathārhataḥ

Translation

I know the true nature of Śaṅkara with particular clarity. Therefore, after due reflection and as is fitting, I shall now speak of the principle of Śiva.

Word by Word

• शंकरस्य: of Śaṅkara
• शंकरस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शंकर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन; सम्बन्ध (genitive): ‘of Śaṅkara’

• स्वरूपम्: true form, nature
• स्वरूपम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वरूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• तु: indeed, but
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधान/विरोधसूचक निपात (particle: ‘but/indeed’)

• जानामि: I know
• जानामि: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• सु-विशेषतः: very particularly
• सु-विशेषतः: Prakara (प्रकार/Adverbial manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सु (अव्यय/उपसर्ग) + विशेष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (adverb): ‘very particularly’; ‘सुविशेष’ + तः

• शिव-तत्त्वम्: the principle/reality of Śiva
• शिव-तत्त्वम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक) + तत्त्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: ‘शिवस्य तत्त्वम्’

• अतः: therefore
• अतः: Hetu (हेतु/Cause)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; हेत्वर्थक/तस्मात्-अर्थक (therefore/for this reason)

• वच्मि: I speak, I say
• वच्मि: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद; रूपम्: वच्मि (I speak)

• सु-विचार्य: having well considered
• सु-विचार्य: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल/Prior action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सु (अव्यय) + वि-चर् (धातु) → विचार्य (कृदन्त)
• Form: ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (gerund/absolutive): ‘having well considered’

• यथा-अर्हतः: as is proper
• यथा-अर्हतः: Prakara (प्रकार/Adverbial manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + अर्हत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; ‘यथा’ (as) + तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त ‘अर्हतः’ (as is proper)

Speaker

A narrator/teacher within the Pārvatīkhaṇḍa discourse (contextually a sage expounding Śiva-tattva to the listener, as framed by Sūta’s narration in the Rudra Saṃhitā)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It establishes that Śiva-tattva should be taught only after clear realization and careful contemplation—pointing to Śiva as the supreme Pati whose true nature, when understood, becomes a direct means toward liberation.

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

By announcing a deliberate exposition of Śiva’s principle, the verse frames outward worship (Liṅga, mantra, pūjā) as grounded in right understanding: Saguna forms are approached with insight into the deeper Śiva-tattva they reveal.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It implies śravaṇa–manana (listening and reflection) as a discipline: study of Śiva’s teachings followed by contemplative japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to align devotion with true understanding.