Shloka 31

पानीयदान-प्रपादान-वापीकूपतडाग-निर्माण-प्रशंसा

Praise of Water-Gift and the Construction of Wells and Tanks

Devanagari script

सत्यमाहुः परं धर्मं सत्यमाहुः परं पदम् । सत्यमाहुः परं ब्रह्म तस्मात्सत्यं सदा वदेत्

Transliteration

satyamāhuḥ paraṃ dharmaṃ satyamāhuḥ paraṃ padam | satyamāhuḥ paraṃ brahma tasmātsatyaṃ sadā vadet

Translation

They declare truth to be the highest dharma; they declare truth to be the supreme state. They declare truth to be the supreme Brahman—therefore one should always speak the truth.

Word by Word

• सत्यम्: truth
• सत्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• आहुः: they say/declare
• आहुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अह् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• परम्: supreme
• परम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; विशेषण

• धर्मम्: dharma
• धर्मम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• सत्यम्: truth
• सत्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• आहुः: they say
• आहुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अह् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• परम्: supreme
• परम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; विशेषण

• पदम्: state/abode/goal
• पदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• सत्यम्: truth
• सत्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• आहुः: they say
• आहुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अह् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• परम्: supreme
• परम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; विशेषण

• ब्रह्म: Brahman/Absolute
• ब्रह्म: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• तस्मात्: therefore/from that
• तस्मात्: Hetu/Apadana (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5), एकवचन; सर्वनाम; अपादान (ablative)

• सत्यम्: truth
• सत्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• सदा: always
• सदा: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

• वदेत्: one should speak
• वदेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वद् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva Purana teachings to the sages in the Uma Samhita’s philosophical discourse)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Ethical truthfulness (satya) is presented as the highest dharma and as alignment with Brahman; in Śaiva Siddhānta this functions as a prerequisite purity (śuddhi) supporting Śiva-anugraha.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, satya purifies the bound soul (paśu) and weakens the bonds (pāśa) of impurity and delusion, making the mind fit for Shiva’s grace (Pati) and for liberation.

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

Linga worship emphasizes inner and outer purity; truthfulness is a core vow that steadies devotion, aligns conduct with dharma, and supports sincere upāsanā of Saguna Shiva, leading the seeker toward realization of the Supreme.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Adopt satya as a daily vrata (vow): speak truth, avoid harsh or deceptive speech, and pair it with Shiva-oriented japa (e.g., Om Namaḥ Śivāya) so the mind becomes steady and transparent in meditation.