Shloka 10

त्रिपुरदीक्षाविधानम् — Tripura Dīkṣā: Prescriptive Procedure

Chapter on the Ordinance of Initiation

Devanagari script

मायिन्मायामयं शास्त्रं तत्षोडशसहस्रकम् । श्रौतस्मार्तविरुद्धं च वर्णाश्रम विवर्जितम्

Transliteration

māyinmāyāmayaṃ śāstraṃ tatṣoḍaśasahasrakam | śrautasmārtaviruddhaṃ ca varṇāśrama vivarjitam

Translation

O deluder, that treatise is made of mere Māyā—sixteen thousand verses in extent. It stands opposed to the Śrauta and Smārta ordinances (Vedic and Dharmaśāstra), and it is devoid of the discipline of varṇa and āśrama.

Word by Word

• मायिन्: O deceiver/illusionist
• मायिन्: सम्बोधन (address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मायिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine), सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative/सम्बोधन), एकवचन (Singular)

• मायामयम्: made of illusion
• मायामयम्: कर्म-विशेषण (qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: माया (प्रातिपदिक) + मय (प्रातिपदिक/तद्धित)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (मयट्-अर्थे: 'made of/consisting of māyā'); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण of 'शास्त्रम्'

• शास्त्रम्: treatise/teaching
• शास्त्रम्: कर्म (object; implied 'वक्ष्यामि/वदामि' etc.)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शास्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• तत्-षोडश-सहस्रकम्: that (text) of sixteen thousand (verses/units)
• तत्-षोडश-सहस्रकम्: कर्म-विशेषण (qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + षोडश (संख्या) + सहस्रक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगु-समास (numerical compound: 'sixteen-thousand'); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण of 'शास्त्रम्'

• श्रौत-स्मार्त-विरुद्धम्: contrary to Śrauta and Smārta (traditions)
• श्रौत-स्मार्त-विरुद्धम्: कर्म-विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रौत (प्रातिपदिक) + स्मार्त (प्रातिपदिक) + विरुद्ध (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समाहार-द्वन्द्व (श्रौत+स्मार्त) पूर्वपद + तत्पुरुष ('विरुद्ध'); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण of 'शास्त्रम्'

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

• वर्णाश्रम-विवर्जितम्: devoid of varṇa and āśrama (order)
• वर्णाश्रम-विवर्जितम्: कर्म-विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + आश्रम (प्रातिपदिक) + विवर्जित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; वि+वृज्/वर्ज्)
• Form: समाहार-द्वन्द्व (वर्ण+आश्रम) पूर्वपद + तत्पुरुष ('विवर्जित'); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण of 'शास्त्रम्'

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Rudra Saṃhitā account to the sages, reporting the dialogue in the Yuddhakhaṇḍa context)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

FAQs

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

It warns that teachings born of māyā can appear extensive and authoritative yet still lead away from dharma; Shaiva Siddhānta emphasizes purification through right conduct and devotion so the soul (paśu) is not bound by delusion (pāśa) and can turn to the Lord (Pati).

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

Linga-worship is upheld as a dharmic, purifying path when grounded in śāstric discipline; the verse cautions against adopting anti-Vedic, ruleless doctrines that sever worship from ethical and ritual integrity.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is to practice Shiva-bhakti within dharma—regular japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and disciplined conduct (varṇāśrama duties), rather than following teachings that reject śrauta-smārta foundations.