Shloka 7

Jaṭilāvatāra-Parīkṣā: Pārvatyāḥ Tapasāṃ Parīkṣaṇam

The Jaṭilā Episode and the Testing of Pārvatī’s Austerity

Devanagari script

गतेषु मुनिषु स्वस्थानं शंकरः स्वयम् । परीक्षितुं शिवावृत्तमैच्छत्सूतिकरः प्रभुः

Transliteration

gateṣu muniṣu svasthānaṃ śaṃkaraḥ svayam | parīkṣituṃ śivāvṛttamaicchatsūtikaraḥ prabhuḥ

Translation

When the sages had departed for their own abodes, Śaṅkara Himself—the sovereign Lord who brings forth the worlds—desired to examine the conduct and sacred observances of the Śiva-vrata, the vow of Śiva.

Word by Word

• गतेषु: when (they) had gone
• गतेषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण; सप्तमी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past participle) ‘गत’; पुंलिङ्ग; सप्तमी (7th/Locative); बहुवचन; (locative absolute with मुनिषु)

• मुनिषु: among the sages / the sages (being)
• मुनिषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सप्तमी; बहुवचन; (सप्तमी-सम्बन्ध/सप्तमी-absolute)

• स्व-स्थानम्: his own abode
• स्व-स्थानम्: Karma (कर्म; गत्यर्थक/प्राप्त्यर्थक)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (स्वस्य स्थानम् = one’s own place)

• शंकरः: Śaṅkara
• शंकरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शंकर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचन

• स्वयम्: himself
• स्वयम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध; कर्तृ-विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वयम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; आत्मनः-प्रयोग (indeclinable; himself)

• परीक्षितुम्: to test
• परीक्षितुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/उद्देश्य)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि + ईक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (infinitive); ‘to examine/test’

• शिव-अवृत्तम्: Śiva’s conduct/story
• शिव-अवृत्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक) + अवृत्त (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त ‘अवृत्त’ = वृत्त/चरित)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (शिवस्य अवृत्तम् = Śiva’s conduct/story)

• ऐच्छत्: desired/wished
• ऐच्छत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: इष् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past); प्रथमपुरुष; एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• सूतिः-करः: the causer of creation/birth
• सूतिः-करः: Karta (कर्ता; apposition to प्रभुः/शंकरः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूतिः (प्रातिपदिक; ‘प्रसव/उत्पत्ति’) + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (सूत्या: करः = maker/causer of birth; epithet)

• प्रभुः: the Lord
• प्रभुः: Karta (कर्ता; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not tied to a Jyotirliṅga; the verse introduces Śiva’s intent to ‘test’ (parīkṣitum) śiva-vṛtta/vrata—an archetypal līlā where the Lord veils His identity to examine dharma and devotion.

Significance: Frames vrata as not merely external observance but inner integrity under examination; encourages steadfastness when the divine is ‘concealed’ (tirodhāna) behind ordinary appearances.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shankara

FAQs

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

It shows Śiva as the compassionate Lord who tests and refines dharma: by examining Śiva-vrata (Śaiva observance), He reveals what constitutes authentic devotion and right conduct leading toward grace (anugraha) and liberation.

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

The verse frames Śiva’s Saguna līlā—actively engaging the world to assess Śaiva practice—implying that external worship (such as Liṅga-pūjā) must be supported by inner discipline and Śiva-aligned conduct (śiva-vṛtta).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is fidelity to Śiva-vrata: steady daily Śiva-smaraṇa, mantra-japa (especially pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and disciplined conduct consistent with Śiva worship.