Shloka 42

शिवस्य पञ्चब्रह्मावतारवर्णनम्

Description of Shiva’s Pañcabrahma Avatāras

Devanagari script

धर्माय स्वांगसंयुक्तं बुद्धितत्त्वं पिनाकिनः । अघोराख्यस्वरूपो यस्तिष्ठत्यंतस्तृतीयकः

Transliteration

dharmāya svāṃgasaṃyuktaṃ buddhitattvaṃ pinākinaḥ | aghorākhyasvarūpo yastiṣṭhatyaṃtastṛtīyakaḥ

Translation

For the establishment of dharma, the Lord Pinākin (Śiva, bearer of the bow Pināka) abides within as the principle of Buddhi—the illuminative intellect—united with His own power. That inner, third principle is the very form known as Aghora.

Word by Word

• dharmāya: for dharma/righteousness
• dharmāya: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; सम्प्रदान (dative: 'for dharma')

• sva-aṅga-saṃyuktam: joined with his own limbs
• sva-aṅga-saṃyuktam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + aṅga (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃyukta (कृदन्त; √yuj युज् + क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (svāṅgena saṃyuktam = 'joined with his own limb(s)')

• buddhi-tattvam: the principle of intellect
• buddhi-tattvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: buddhi (प्रातिपदिक) + tattva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (buddheḥ tattvam = 'principle of intellect')

• pinākinaḥ: of Pinākin (Śiva)
• pinākinaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pinākin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी, एकवचन

• aghora-ākhya-svarūpaḥ: the form called Aghora
• aghora-ākhya-svarūpaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aghora (प्रातिपदिक) + ākhya (प्रातिपदिक) + svarūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (aghora-nāmakaṃ svarūpam = 'the form named Aghora')

• yaḥ: who
• yaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; सम्बन्धवाचक सर्वनाम (relative pronoun)

• tiṣṭhati: stands/abides
• tiṣṭhati: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √sthā (स्था) (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• antaḥ: within
• antaḥ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: antaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; स्थानवाचक (adverb: 'within/inside')

• tṛtīyakaḥ: the third
• tṛtīyakaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tṛtīyaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्रमवाचक (ordinal: 'third')

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Āghoramūrti

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that Śiva, as Pati (the Lord), is not only worshiped outwardly but also abides inwardly as buddhi—clear discernment that supports dharma and guides the soul toward liberation.

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

While the Liṅga is the sacred outward focus for Saguna worship, this verse emphasizes the corresponding inner reality: Śiva’s Aghora aspect present within as the illuminating intelligence that steadies righteous conduct and devotion.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditate on Śiva as the indwelling Aghora—invoke Him with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and cultivate buddhi (viveka) so actions align with dharma; this inner alignment is the practical takeaway.