Shloka 38

Devanagari script

अतएव पुराणानि श्रोतव्यानि प्रयत्नतः । धर्मार्थकामलाभाय मोक्षमार्गाप्तये तथा

Transliteration

ataeva purāṇāni śrotavyāni prayatnataḥ | dharmārthakāmalābhāya mokṣamārgāptaye tathā

Translation

Therefore, the Purāṇas should be listened to with sincere effort—for the attainment of dharma, artha, and kāma, and also for reaching the path that leads to mokṣa.

Word by Word

• अतः: therefore
• अतः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अतः (अव्यय)
• Form: हेतौ-अव्यय (causal adverb: therefore/from this)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-अव्यय (emphasis)

• पुराणानि: Purāṇas
• पुराणानि: Karma (कर्म; with gerundive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुराण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• श्रोतव्यानि: should be listened to
• श्रोतव्यानि: Vidhi (विधि/आदेश)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु) → श्रोतव्य (कृदन्त)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्यय (तव्यत्) कृदन्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विधेय/कर्तव्यार्थ: ‘to be heard’

• प्रयत्नतः: with effort
• प्रयत्नतः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रयत्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त-अव्यय (ablatival adverb): प्रयत्नतः = प्रयत्नेन

• धर्म-अर्थ-काम-लाभाय: for attaining dharma, artha, kāma
• धर्म-अर्थ-काम-लाभाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + काम (प्रातिपदिक) + लाभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व (collective): धर्मार्थकामलाभाय = धर्मस्य च अर्थस्य च कामस्य च लाभाय (for the gain of dharma, artha, kāma)

• मोक्ष-मार्ग-आप्तये: for attaining the path to liberation
• मोक्ष-मार्ग-आप्तये: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मोक्ष (प्रातिपदिक) + मार्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + आप्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: मोक्षस्य मार्गः; तस्य आप्तिः; प्रयोजनार्थ (for the attainment)

• तथा: likewise, also
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकार/समुच्चयार्थ (adverb: likewise/also)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that disciplined śravaṇa (reverent listening) of the Purāṇas is not merely for worldly well-being (dharma-artha-kāma) but is ultimately meant to orient the seeker toward the mokṣa-mārga—turning the mind toward Pati (Śiva) and liberation from bondage.

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

Purāṇic listening prepares faith and understanding for Saguna Śiva worship—especially devotion to the Liṅga—by grounding practice in right dharma and directing the devotee from benefits in life toward liberation through Śiva’s grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The implied practice is regular śravaṇa of Śiva-oriented Purāṇic discourse (kathā-śravaṇa) with effort and attention; as a practical takeaway, pair listening with daily remembrance of Śiva (e.g., mental japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”).