Shloka 44

Devanagari script

तपः कुरु दृढो भूत्वा परमं कार्यसाधनम् । इत्युक्त्वा श्वासमार्गेण ददौ च निगमं ततः

Transliteration

tapaḥ kuru dṛḍho bhūtvā paramaṃ kāryasādhanam | ityuktvā śvāsamārgeṇa dadau ca nigamaṃ tataḥ

Translation

“Perform austerity, becoming steadfast—this is the supreme means for accomplishing the intended purpose.” Having said this, He then bestowed the Nigama (Vedic revelation) through the path of the breath.

Word by Word

• तपः: austerity; penance
• तपः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• कुरु: do; perform
• कुरु: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative/लोट्), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• दृढः: firm; resolute
• दृढः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दृढ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्तृ-विशेषण (to implied ‘त्वम्’)

• भूत्वा: having become
• भूत्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त; त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त (absolutive); पूर्वकालिक-क्रिया (having become)

• परमम्: supreme; highest
• परमम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (to ‘कार्यसाधनम्’)

• कार्य-साधनम्: means to accomplish the task
• कार्य-साधनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्य (प्रातिपदिक) + साधन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (कार्यस्य साधनम्)

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; इति-निर्देशक (quotative)

• उक्त्वा: having said
• उक्त्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त; त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त (absolutive); पूर्वकालिक-क्रिया (having said)

• श्वास-मार्गेण: through the path of breath
• श्वास-मार्गेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्वास (प्रातिपदिक) + मार्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (श्वासस्य मार्गः)

• ददौ: gave
• ददौ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• निगमम्: Veda; scripture
• निगमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निगम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• ततः: then; thereafter
• ततः: Kala (काल/क्रम)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; तस्मात्/ततः—क्रम/अपादानार्थक-अव्यय (then; thereafter/from that)

Speaker

Lord Shiva (as the supreme teacher imparting revelation in the Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa context)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that unwavering tapas (disciplined austerity) is a highest instrument for spiritual accomplishment, and that true knowledge (Nigama) ultimately descends by Shiva’s grace, purified through inner regulation such as the breath.

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

Saguna Shiva is approached through steady practice—worship, vows, and austerity—so the devotee becomes fit to receive Shiva’s revelation. The verse frames realization not as mere effort, but as Shiva bestowing sacred authority (Nigama) when the seeker is firm.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It points to tapas supported by breath-discipline (śvāsa-mārga)—a yogic inward practice such as regulated breathing with mantra-japa (e.g., Panchakshara) to purify the mind so divine knowledge can arise.