Shloka 17

तपसो महिमा

The Greatness and Typology of Tapas

Devanagari script

वापीकूपतडागादेः प्रसादस्य च कल्पना । कृच्छ्रं चांद्रायणं यज्ञस्सुतीर्थान्याश्रमाः पुनः

Transliteration

vāpīkūpataḍāgādeḥ prasādasya ca kalpanā | kṛcchraṃ cāṃdrāyaṇaṃ yajñassutīrthānyāśramāḥ punaḥ

Translation

One may also undertake the making of wells, step-wells, ponds and the like, and the construction of temples and sacred edifices; observe the Kṛcchra and Cāndrāyaṇa expiatory vows; perform sacrifices (yajña); and again resort to holy tīrthas and hermitages (āśramas)—all as purifying disciplines directed toward Śiva.

Word by Word

• वापी-कूप-तडाग-आदेः: of wells, ponds, tanks, etc.
• वापी-कूप-तडाग-आदेः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वापी (प्रातिपदिक) + कूप (प्रातिपदिक) + तडाग (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व/समुच्चयार्थ-समास with आदि; अर्थः: ‘वाप्यादीनाम्’ (of wells, ponds, etc.)

• प्रसादस्य: of a temple/shrine (prasāda)
• प्रसादस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रसाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• कल्पना: construction, arranging, planning
• कल्पना: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कल्पना (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; list-item noun

• कृच्छ्रम्: the Kṛcchra penance
• कृच्छ्रम्: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृच्छ्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; (also used as name of a penance)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• आन्द्रायणम्: the Cāndrāyaṇa vow
• आन्द्रायणम्: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आन्द्रायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; penance-name

• यज्ञः: sacrifice, ritual
• यज्ञः: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• सु-तीर्थानि: holy pilgrimage places
• सु-तीर्थानि: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सु (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय: सुतीर्थानि = शोभनानि तीर्थानि

• आश्रमाः: hermitages, āśramas
• आश्रमाः: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आश्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• पुनः: again, further
• पुनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; पुनरुक्ति/पुनरर्थक-क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: again/further)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: General tīrtha/āśrama-sevā motif: constructing water-reservoirs and prasādas (temples) is praised as dharmic public merit that supports Śiva-worship and purifies the doer.

Significance: Encourages dāna and loka-hita (public welfare) as Śiva-arpita karma; tīrtha-yātrā and āśrama-sevā become supports for śuddhi leading toward Śiva’s grace.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Annapūrṇā

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that purification is not only inward but also expressed through Shiva-oriented dharma: public welfare works (water sources), temple construction, disciplined vows, yajña, and pilgrimage—actions that loosen pāśa (bondage) and mature the soul toward Śiva’s grace.

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

By emphasizing prasāda-kalpanā (temple/sanctuary construction) and tīrtha-sevā, it supports Saguna Śiva worship—creating and maintaining sacred spaces where the Liṅga is honored and devotees cultivate bhakti and purity.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The verse highlights Kṛcchra and Cāndrāyaṇa vratas (austerity-based fasts) along with yajña and tīrtha-yātrā; these can be paired with daily Śiva-japa (e.g., Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) as a practical Shaiva discipline.