Shloka 42

Jaṭilāvatāra-Parīkṣā: Pārvatyāḥ Tapasāṃ Parīkṣaṇam

The Jaṭilā Episode and the Testing of Pārvatī’s Austerity

Devanagari script

शिवविद्वेषिणं स्पृष्ट्वा प्रायश्चित्तं समाचरेत्

Transliteration

śivavidveṣiṇaṃ spṛṣṭvā prāyaścittaṃ samācaret

Translation

Having touched one who harbors hatred toward Śiva, one should duly perform prāyaścitta—an expiatory rite—for purification.

Word by Word

• śiva: Śiva
• śiva: —
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, समासपूर्वपद (in compound)

• vidveṣiṇam: a hater
• vidveṣiṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vi- (उपसर्ग) + dveṣin (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; ‘hater’ (agent noun)

• spṛṣṭvā: having touched
• spṛṣṭvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: spṛś (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive), धातु: स्पृश् (स्पर्शे) — ‘having touched’

• prāyaścittam: expiation/penance
• prāyaścittam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prāyaścitta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• samācaret: should perform
• samācaret: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ā- (उपसर्ग) + car (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधि), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद — ‘should perform’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Frames śiva-dveṣa (hatred of Śiva) as a spiritually contaminating association; purification restores eligibility for Śaiva worship and mantra-japa.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that contact with Shiva-dveṣa (hostility to Śiva) is spiritually contaminating because it reinforces pāśa (bondage) through negativity; prāyaścitta restores inner purity and reorients the mind toward bhakti and reverence for Pati (Śiva).

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

Linga/Saguna-Śiva worship emphasizes śraddhā and śaucā (purity). This verse warns against association with Shiva-nindā and prescribes corrective purification so the devotee may approach the Linga with an undisturbed, devotional disposition.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It indicates performing prāyaścitta—typically including mantra-japa (especially Panchākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), bathing/ācamanam, and other purificatory observances as taught in Shaiva practice.