Shloka 57

द्वादशज्योतिर्लिङ्गावतारकथनम्

Account of the Twelve Jyotirliṅga Manifestations

Devanagari script

इति ते हि समाख्याता ज्योतिर्लिंगावली मया । द्वादशप्रमिता दिव्या भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायिनी

Transliteration

iti te hi samākhyātā jyotirliṃgāvalī mayā | dvādaśapramitā divyā bhuktimuktipradāyinī

Translation

Thus, I have indeed narrated to you the sacred series of Jyotirliṅgas—twelve in number—divine in nature, bestowing both worldly fulfillment (bhukti) and liberation (mukti).

Word by Word

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha/Avyaya (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उक्त्यर्थक अव्यय (quotative particle)

• ते: to you
• ते: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति (genitive), एकवचन; सर्वनाम (to you/for you—contextual)

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha/Avyaya (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), emphasis/indeed

• समाख्याता: described
• समाख्याता: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-ख्या (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘has been described/told’

• ज्योतिर्लिङ्गावली: the series of Jyotirliṅgas
• ज्योतिर्लिङ्गावली: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्योतिस्-लिङ्ग-आवली (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (ज्योतिर्लिङ्गानाम् आवली)

• मया: by me
• मया: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• द्वादशप्रमिता: numbering twelve
• द्वादशप्रमिता: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वादश-प्रमित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (द्वादशेन प्रमिता = measured as twelve)

• दिव्या: divine
• दिव्या: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दिव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायिनी: bestowing enjoyment and liberation
• भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायिनी: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भुक्ति-मुक्ति-प्रदायिनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (भुक्तिं च मुक्तिं च प्रददाति इति)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: This is the concluding colophon-like statement: Sūta declares he has narrated the ‘jyotirliṅgāvalī’—a divine set of twelve—each granting bhukti and mukti; it summarizes the pan-Indian sacred network rather than one site.

Significance: Affirms the doctrinal and devotional function of the twelve Jyotirliṅgas as a unified salvific map: prosperity in dharma and final liberation through Śiva’s grace.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Jyotirlinga

FAQs

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

The verse summarizes the Jyotirliṅga teaching: Shiva, as the luminous Liṅga, is approachable through sacred sites and devotion, granting both righteous worldly welfare and final liberation when worship is aligned with dharma and bhakti.

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

It affirms the Jyotirliṅga as Saguna Shiva’s merciful, worshipable manifestation—Shiva made accessible as the Liṅga—so that devotees can offer pūjā, receive grace, and progress from blessings in life toward moksha.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Undertake Jyotirliṅga darśana and Liṅga-pūjā with Panchākṣarī japa ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), offering water and bilva leaves, and maintaining devotion and purity of intention for both bhukti and mukti.