Shloka 19

तपः–मन्त्रजप–ध्यानविधिः

Protocol of Tapas, Mantra-Japa, and Śiva-Dhyāna

Devanagari script

आकारेण तथा गत्या चेष्टया भाषितैरपि । नेत्रवक्त्रविकाराभ्यां ज्ञायतेऽन्तर्हितं मनः

Transliteration

ākāreṇa tathā gatyā ceṣṭayā bhāṣitairapi | netravaktravikārābhyāṃ jñāyate'ntarhitaṃ manaḥ

Translation

By one’s form, manner of walking, gestures, and even speech—and by the changes in the eyes and the expressions of the face—the mind hidden within becomes known.

Word by Word

• आकारेण: by (one’s) form/appearance
• आकारेण: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental, 3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• तथा: thus; likewise
• तथा: सम्बन्ध/क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Indeclinable), क्रियाविशेषण (Adverb)

• गत्या: by movement/gait
• गत्या: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental, 3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• चेष्टया: by gestures/activities
• चेष्टया: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चेष्टा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental, 3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• भाषितैः: by spoken words/utterances
• भाषितैः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाषित (कृदन्त; √भाष् धातु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental, 3rd), बहुवचन (Plural); भूतकृत्/कर्मणि-प्रयोगे क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle used substantively)

• अपि: also; even
• अपि: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Indeclinable), निपात (Particle)

• नेत्रवक्त्रविकाराभ्याम्: by the changes of the eyes and face
• नेत्रवक्त्रविकाराभ्याम्: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नेत्र + वक्त्र + विकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental, 3rd), द्विवचन (Dual); समासः—(नेत्र-वक्त्र)-विकार (determinative: ‘changes of eyes and face’)

• ज्ञायते: is known; is understood
• ज्ञायते: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular); कर्मणि-प्रयोग (Passive)

• अन्तर्हितम्: hidden; concealed
• अन्तर्हितम्: विशेषण (Adjectival to ‘मनः’)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्तर्हित (कृदन्त; √धा/√हि?; ‘to conceal’—अन्तर्धा)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative, 1st), एकवचन (Singular); भूतकृत् क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle)

• मनः: the mind
• मनः: कर्म/विषय (Karman/Patient in passive; thing known)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative, 1st), एकवचन (Singular)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

FAQs

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

It teaches that inner intention (the mind’s hidden vṛtti) inevitably manifests through body, speech, and facial expression—so spiritual progress in Shaiva practice is measured by purified conduct, not mere outward display.

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

In Linga-worship, the devotee offers external acts (pūjā, mantra, reverence) to Saguna Shiva, but this verse emphasizes that the true offering is the inner mind—its purity becomes visible through humility, restraint, and truthful speech.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice self-observation (svādhyāya) alongside japa of the Panchakshara—watch gait, speech, and facial reactions as indicators of inner agitation; support with Tripundra (bhasma) and a calm, sattvic discipline to steady the mind.