Shloka 49

दुन्दुभिनिर्ह्रादनिर्णयः / Dundubhinirhrāda’s Stratagem: Targeting the Brāhmaṇas

Devanagari script

इदमाख्यानमतुलं शिवलीला मृताक्षरम् । स्वर्ग्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं पुत्रपौत्रप्रवर्द्धनम्

Transliteration

idamākhyānamatulaṃ śivalīlā mṛtākṣaram | svargyaṃ yaśasyamāyuṣyaṃ putrapautrapravarddhanam

Translation

This incomparable sacred narrative of Śiva’s divine līlā is imperishable in its very syllables. It bestows heavenly merit, fame, longevity, and the increase of sons and grandsons.

Word by Word

• idam: this
• idam: Viṣaya (विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता/विषय), एकवचन

• ākhyānam: narrative / account
• ākhyānam: Viṣaya (विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ākhyāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• atulam: incomparable
• atulam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: atula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

• śiva-līlā: Śiva’s divine play
• śiva-līlā: Viṣaya (विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक) + līlā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: ‘of Śiva’)

• mṛta-akṣaram: imperishable-syllabled / unfailing in letters
• mṛta-akṣaram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mṛta (प्रातिपदिक) + akṣara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (विशेषण-विशेष्यभावः)

• svargyam: heaven-leading / celestial
• svargyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: svargya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• yaśasyam: fame-giving
• yaśasyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yaśasya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• āyuṣyam: life-promoting / longevity-giving
• āyuṣyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: āyuṣya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• putra-pautra-pravarddhanam: increasing sons and grandsons
• putra-pautra-pravarddhanam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: putra (प्रातिपदिक) + pautra (प्रातिपदिक) + pravarddhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (समाहार/उपपद-भावः: ‘increase of sons and grandsons’)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a site-specific passage; it is a phalaśruti praising the śravaṇa/pāṭha of Śiva-līlā-kathā as merit-giving and life-augmenting.

Significance: Frames listening/reciting as a pilgrimage-equivalent act that yields svarga-puṇya, yaśas, and āyuḥ; in Siddhānta terms, it supports caryā/kriyā and prepares the paśu for higher yoga/jñāna.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It is a phalaśruti declaring that Śiva-kathā is imperishable and spiritually fruitful; hearing/reciting it generates merit (puṇya), supports dharma, and strengthens auspicious destiny through devotion to Pati (Śiva).

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

By praising Śiva’s līlā-kathā, the verse supports Saguna devotion—approaching Śiva through his narrated deeds and glories—an accepted doorway in Shaiva practice that naturally complements Liṅga worship and daily remembrance.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Regular śravaṇa and pāraṇa (listening and recitation) of Śiva Purāṇa narratives with bhakti; optionally accompany with japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” to internalize the kathā’s merit.