Shloka 21

तपः–मन्त्रजप–ध्यानविधिः

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

Devanagari script

उज्ज्वलं मित्रसंयोगे सरसम्पुत्रदर्शने । वक्रं च कामिनीयोगे आरक्तं शत्रुदर्शने

Transliteration

ujjvalaṃ mitrasaṃyoge sarasamputradarśane | vakraṃ ca kāminīyoge āraktaṃ śatrudarśane

Translation

A bright eye is an auspicious sign of reunion with friends; a moist and pleasing eye signifies the sight of one’s son. A crooked eye signifies union with a beloved woman; a reddish eye signifies the sighting of an enemy.

Word by Word

• उज्ज्वलम्: bright
• उज्ज्वलम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उज्ज्वल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; (नेत्रम्) इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• मित्रसंयोगे: in meeting with a friend
• मित्रसंयोगे: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location-context)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मित्र + संयोग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative, 7th), एकवचन; समासः—मित्र-संयोग (determinative: ‘union with a friend’)

• सरसम्: clear/pleasant
• सरसम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सरस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; (नेत्रम्) इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• पुत्रदर्शने: upon seeing one’s son
• पुत्रदर्शने: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Context)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्र + दर्शन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative, 7th), एकवचन; समासः—पुत्र-दर्शन (determinative: ‘seeing a son’)

• वक्रम्: crooked/oblique
• वक्रम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; (नेत्रम्) इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय-बोधक (Conjunction)

• कामिनीयोगे: in union with a beloved woman
• कामिनीयोगे: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Context)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कामिनी + योग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative, 7th), एकवचन; समासः—कामिनी-योग (determinative: ‘association with a woman/beloved’)

• आरक्तम्: reddish
• आरक्तम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आरक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; (नेत्रम्) इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• शत्रुदर्शने: upon seeing an enemy
• शत्रुदर्शने: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Context)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत्रु + दर्शन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative, 7th), एकवचन; समासः—शत्रु-दर्शन (determinative: ‘seeing an enemy’)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating Shiva Purana teachings to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches discernment (viveka): external signs may reflect approaching experiences, but a devotee should remain steady, using such knowledge to act dharmically while keeping the mind anchored in Shiva.

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

By classifying worldly encounters (friend, family, desire, enmity), it indirectly guides a worshipper to maintain balanced devotion—offering all experiences to Saguna Shiva (Linga) rather than being driven by attachment or aversion.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice mental steadiness with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and maintain Tripuṇḍra-bhasma as a reminder to treat omens as secondary to devotion and self-control.