Shloka 49

विष्णूत्पत्तिवर्णनम्

Description of the Origin/Manifestation of Viṣṇu

Devanagari script

ततस्तेन च तच्छ्रुत्वा तपस्तप्तं सुदारुणम् । बहुकालं तदा ब्रह्मध्यानमार्गपरेण हि

Transliteration

tatastena ca tacchrutvā tapastaptaṃ sudāruṇam | bahukālaṃ tadā brahmadhyānamārgapareṇa hi

Translation

Then, having heard that instruction, he undertook extremely severe austerity for a long time—being wholly devoted to the path of contemplative absorption on Brahman (the Supreme), in accordance with the discipline of divine meditation.

Word by Word

• ततः: then
• ततः: क्रम (Sequence marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb); क्रम-निर्देशक (thereafter)

• तेन: by him/thereby
• तेन: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन; 'by him/thereby'

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• तत्: that
• तत्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: क्रिया-पूर्वक (Pūrvakāla-kriyā)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्यय; पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having heard)

• तपः: austerity
• तपः: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तप्तम्: performed, undergone
• तप्तम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Object qualifier)
• Type: Verb
• Root: तप् (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past participle/क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तपः इति विशेषण/विधेय (performed)

• सुदारुणम्: very severe
• सुदारुणम्: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु-दारुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय/उपपद-समास (intensifying 'सु' + adjective); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तपः इति विशेषण

• बहुकालम्: for a long time
• बहुकालम्: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Temporal extent)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बहु-काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास: बहुः कालः; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कालावधि-अर्थे (duration)

• तदा: then
• तदा: कालाधिकरण (Temporal adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (temporal adverb)

• ब्रह्मध्यानमार्गपरेण: by one devoted to the path of Brahman-meditation
• ब्रह्मध्यानमार्गपरेण: कर्ता-विशेषण (Agent qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्म-ध्यान-मार्ग-पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास (Tatpuruṣa chain): ब्रह्मणि ध्यानस्य मार्गे परः (devoted to the path of meditation on Brahman); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन; कर्तृ-विशेषण (agent-qualifier)

• हि: indeed/for
• हि: सम्बन्ध (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle) emphasizing/causal nuance

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It highlights that true spiritual attainment arises from śravaṇa (receiving the teaching) followed by sustained tapas and dhyāna; in Shaiva understanding, such disciplined meditation becomes effective by the Supreme Lord’s (Śiva’s) grace, culminating in purification and readiness for higher revelation.

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

Although the verse speaks of brahma-dhyāna, the Rudra Saṃhitā frames creation and liberation around Śiva as Pati (the Lord). Meditation on the Supreme naturally matures into devotion to Śiva’s manifest guidance—often expressed in the Purāṇa through Linga-worship and Saguna contemplation leading beyond form.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A clear takeaway is prolonged dhyāna supported by tapas—regular meditation on the Supreme with austerity and restraint; in Shaiva practice this is commonly strengthened through japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), along with purificatory disciplines such as bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa where applicable.