Shloka 48

ऋषभचरित्रवर्णनम् (Ṛṣabha-caritra-varṇanam) — “Account of Ṛṣabha’s Sacred Narrative”

Devanagari script

ऋषभस्य चरित्रं हि परमं पावनं महत् । स्वर्ग्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं श्रोतव्यं च प्रयत्नतः

Transliteration

ṛṣabhasya caritraṃ hi paramaṃ pāvanaṃ mahat | svargyaṃ yaśasyamāyuṣyaṃ śrotavyaṃ ca prayatnataḥ

Translation

Indeed, the sacred life-story of Ṛṣabha is supremely purifying and great. It bestows heavenly merit, fame, and longevity; therefore it should be listened to with earnest effort.

Word by Word

• ṛṣabhasya: of Ṛṣabha
• ṛṣabhasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṛṣabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• caritram: life-story, deeds
• caritram: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: caritra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (indeed/for)

• paramam: supreme
• paramam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (1st/2nd; predicate adjective), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying caritram)

• pāvanam: purifying
• pāvanam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pāvana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (1st/2nd; predicate adjective), एकवचन; विशेषण

• mahat: great
• mahat: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (1st/2nd; predicate adjective), एकवचन; विशेषण

• svargyam: heavenly / leading to heaven
• svargyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: svargya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (1st/2nd; predicate adjective), एकवचन; विशेषण

• yaśasyam: fame-giving
• yaśasyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yaśasya (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (1st/2nd; predicate adjective), एकवचन; विशेषण

• āyuṣyam: life-promoting
• āyuṣyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: āyuṣya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (1st/2nd; predicate adjective), एकवचन; विशेषण

• śrotavyam: should be listened to
• śrotavyam: Kriyā (क्रिया/Predicate; obligation)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śru (श्रु धातु)
• Form: तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (gerundive/obligatory passive participle): ‘to be heard’; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय (predicate)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (and)

• prayatnataḥ: with effort, earnestly
• prayatnataḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: prayatna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव/तसिल्-अर्थे अव्यय (ablatival adverb): ‘with effort/earnestly’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Phala-śruti style commendation: Ṛṣabha-caritra is declared pāvana (purifying) and merit-bestowing, encouraging śravaṇa as a devotional practice.

Significance: Positions kathā-śravaṇa as a sādhana: purifies mala and supports dharma/puṇya (svargya), social radiance (yaśas), and vitality (āyuṣya).

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Rishabha

FAQs

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

The verse teaches that śravaṇa (devotional listening) to a holy charitra is itself a purifying sādhana that generates puṇya, supports dharma, and prepares the seeker for Shiva’s grace and liberation.

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

Listening with faith to Shiva-connected narratives functions like upāsanā of Saguna Shiva—strengthening devotion and purity of mind, which traditionally supports deeper Linga-worship and steadiness in mantra-japa.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice attentive śravaṇa: hear/recite the chapter with focus and reverence; it may be paired with simple Shiva-upacāras such as Panchakshara japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and wearing/holding rudrākṣa during listening.