Shloka 64

पिप्पलादावतारकथनम्

Account of the Pippalāda Avatāra

Devanagari script

इत्थं सुतपतस्तस्य पिप्पलादस्य सम्मुखे । महाकालो व्यतीयाय लोकचर्यानुसारिणः

Transliteration

itthaṃ sutapatastasya pippalādasya sammukhe | mahākālo vyatīyāya lokacaryānusāriṇaḥ

Translation

Thus, in the very presence of that Pippalāda—while Sutapā continued in his observances—great Time (Mahākāla) passed on, following the customary course of the world.

Word by Word

• इत्थम्: thus
• इत्थम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्यसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इत्थम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (thus/in this manner)

• सुतपतः: of the great ascetic / of the one doing severe penance
• सुतपतः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सु-तपस् (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सु तपः यस्य/सु-तपः—great austerity)

• तस्य: of him
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• पिप्पलादस्य: of Pippalāda
• पिप्पलादस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिप्पलाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सम्मुखे: in front / in the presence
• सम्मुखे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सम्मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; स्थानवाचक

• महाकालः: great time / a long time
• महाकालः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा-काल (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महान् कालः)

• व्यतीयाय: passed by / elapsed
• व्यतीयाय: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + अति + इ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• लोकचर्यानुसारिणः: (of time) that follows the course of worldly affairs
• लोकचर्यानुसारिणः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लोक-चर्या-अनुसारिन् (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (लोकचर्यायाः अनुसारिन्—following worldly conduct); महाकालस्य विशेषणम्

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahākāla

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Mahākāleśvara

Sthala Purana: Mahākāla here is both ‘great Time’ and Śiva as Lord of Time. This naturally aligns with Ujjayinī’s Mahākāleśvara tradition where Śiva is worshiped as the one who transcends and governs kāla; the verse’s emphasis is on time’s passage under divine sovereignty.

Significance: Darśana of Mahākāla is sought for fearlessness before death/time, removal of kāla-doṣa, and steadiness in sādhanā as time flows.

Characters & Entities

• Mahakala
• Pippalada
• Sutapa

FAQs

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

It highlights that even as worldly time moves inevitably, sincere tapas and steadfast observance performed before a realized devotee ripen inwardly—pointing to Śiva (Mahākāla) as the power who governs time and grants spiritual fruition beyond time.

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

By naming Mahākāla, the verse evokes Śiva’s saguna aspect as the Lord of Time; Linga-worship similarly trains the devotee to see the timeless Pati (Śiva) presiding over changing time and worldly routine.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Steady daily observance (vrata) and tapas—supported by japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and disciplined routine—are implied as the practical means to mature devotion while time passes.