Shloka 21

पिप्पलादावतारकथनम्

Account of the Pippalāda Avatāra

Devanagari script

तदभिप्रायमाज्ञाय स मुनिर्बुधसत्तमः । स्वपत्नीं प्रेषयामास सुवर्चां स्वाश्रमान्तरम्

Transliteration

tadabhiprāyamājñāya sa munirbudhasattamaḥ | svapatnīṃ preṣayāmāsa suvarcāṃ svāśramāntaram

Translation

Understanding that intention, the sage—foremost among the wise—sent his wife Suvarcā into the inner precincts of his own hermitage.

Word by Word

• tat-abhiprāyam: that intention
• tat-abhiprāyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + abhiprāya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (determinative): ‘तस्य अभिप्रायम्’; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन

• ājñāya: having understood
• ājñāya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: jñā (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund) with ā- prefix: ‘having understood/known’

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन

• muniḥ: the sage
• muniḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन

• budha-sattamaḥ: the best among the wise
• budha-sattamaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: budha (प्रातिपदिक) + sattama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय: ‘बुधानां सत्तमः’; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन

• sva-patnīm: his wife
• sva-patnīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + patnī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष: ‘स्वस्य पत्नīm’; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन

• preṣayāmāsa: sent
• preṣayāmāsa: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: preṣ (धातु, causative of √iṣ/√preṣ)
• Form: लिट् (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; णिच् (causative) भावः; परस्मैपद

• suvarcām: Suvarcā
• suvarcām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: suvarcā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन

• sva-āśrama-antaram: into his hermitage (inside)
• sva-āśrama-antaram: Gati/Karma (गति/कर्म; destination)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + āśrama (प्रातिपदिक) + antara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष: ‘स्वस्य आश्रमस्य अन्तरम्’; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन (destination)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

• Suvarcā
• the sage (muni)

FAQs

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

The verse highlights discernment (buddhi) and dharmic action: the sage first understands the underlying intention and then acts appropriately, reflecting the disciplined, sattvic conduct praised in Shaiva tradition.

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

Though the verse is narrative, it supports the Shaiva ethic that outer actions (conduct in the ashrama) should align with inner understanding—an essential foundation for focused Saguna Shiva worship and reverent Linga-sevā.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The implied takeaway is mindful restraint and orderly ashrama practice—preparing a pure setting for japa (especially the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and for traditional Shaiva observances like bhasma and rudrāksha with discipline.