Shloka 25

तपः–मन्त्रजप–ध्यानविधिः

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

Devanagari script

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तत्र रक्षार्थं ह्यर्जुनस्य वै । तद्भक्तेश्च परीक्षार्थं शंकरो भक्तवत्सलः

Transliteration

etasminnantare tatra rakṣārthaṃ hyarjunasya vai | tadbhakteśca parīkṣārthaṃ śaṃkaro bhaktavatsalaḥ

Translation

Just then, in that very moment, Śaṅkara—ever tender to His devotees—appeared there to protect Arjuna, and also to test the devotion of that devotee.

Word by Word

• एतस्मिन्: in this
• एतस्मिन्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; सर्वनाम (pronoun)

• अन्तरे: in the interval
• अन्तरे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; ‘अन्तरे’ = in the interval

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक अव्यय (adverb of place)

• रक्षार्थम्: for protection
• रक्षार्थम्: Hetu/Purpose (हेतु/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रक्षा + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; प्रयोजनार्थक तत्पुरुष (रक्षायै अर्थः)

• हि: indeed/for
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), कारण/निश्चयार्थक

• अर्जुनस्य: of Arjuna
• अर्जुनस्य: Shashthi-Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्जुन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन

• वै: indeed/truly
• वै: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), निश्चयार्थक/खलु-अर्थे

• तद्भक्तेः: of his devotion
• तद्भक्तेः: Shashthi-Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् + भक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (तस्य भक्तिः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• परीक्षार्थम्: for testing
• परीक्षार्थम्: Hetu/Purpose (हेतु/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परीक्षा + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; प्रयोजनार्थक तत्पुरुष (परीक्षायै अर्थः)

• शंकरः: Shankara
• शंकरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शंकर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• भक्तवत्सलः: devotee-loving
• भक्तवत्सलः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भक्त + वत्सल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; विशेषण; तत्पुरुष (भक्तेषु वत्सलः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Paradigm verse for bhakta-rakṣaṇa: Śiva’s grace intervenes to protect the devotee and to refine devotion through parīkṣā (testing), encouraging śaraṇāgati.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Arjuna

FAQs

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

It highlights Śiva as Pati (the Lord) who both protects and refines the devotee: His grace safeguards the sincere seeker, while His tests mature bhakti into steadiness and surrender.

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

The verse emphasizes Saguna Śiva—Śaṅkara who intervenes in history and devotion—showing that Linga-worship is not merely symbolic but a living relationship where the Lord responds to devotion and dharma.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Cultivate steadfast bhakti during “tests” through japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and daily Śiva-smaraṇa (remembrance), trusting Śiva’s protection while maintaining dharmic conduct.