Shloka 25

तपसो महिमा

The Greatness and Typology of Tapas

Devanagari script

शंखवीणामृदंगाश्च गजेन्द्रश्छत्रचामरे । भोगरूपाणि चैतानि एभिश्शक्तोऽनुरज्यते

Transliteration

śaṃkhavīṇāmṛdaṃgāśca gajendraśchatracāmare | bhogarūpāṇi caitāni ebhiśśakto'nurajyate

Translation

Conches, lutes, and drums; the lordly elephant, along with the royal umbrella and yak-tail fans—these are all forms of enjoyment. By these, the bound soul becomes attached and is drawn into desire.

Word by Word

• शंख: conch
• शंख: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शंख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्वस्य अङ्ग (member of a copulative list)

• वीणा: lute/vīṇā
• वीणा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीणा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्वस्य अङ्ग

• मृदङ्गाः: drums (mṛdaṅgas)
• मृदङ्गाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मृदङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्वस्य अङ्ग

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

• गजेन्द्रः: lord of elephants
• गजेन्द्रः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गज + इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (gajānām indraḥ)

• छत्र: umbrella
• छत्र: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: छत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; द्वन्द्व-समाहारस्य अङ्ग (in a paired list)

• चामरे: two chowries (yak-tail fans)
• चामरे: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चामर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; छत्र-चामरयोः द्वन्द्व/समाहार-प्रयोगः (pair: umbrella and yak-tail fan)

• भोगरूपाणि: having the form of enjoyments
• भोगरूपाणि: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भोग + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-भावः (भोगस्य रूपाणि/भोगरूपाणि)

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

• एतानि: these
• एतानि: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• एभिः: by these
• एभिः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, त्रिलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• शक्तः: being able/empowered
• शक्तः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शक्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √शक् धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्तरि-विशेषणम्

• अनुरज्यते: becomes attached/delights
• अनुरज्यते: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अनु√रञ्ज् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Functions as a warning: sensory pomp (music, elephants, royal insignia) intensifies rāga and strengthens pāśa; pilgrim-discipline is the implied antidote.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati

FAQs

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

It lists symbols of royal pleasure and shows how bhoga becomes pasha (bondage): the soul grows enamored of sensory and status-based enjoyments, delaying turning toward Pati (Shiva) and liberation.

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

By contrasting outward enjoyments with inner Godwardness, it supports Lingopasana: devotion to Saguna Shiva (Linga) purifies attachment, and through that purity one matures toward realizing Shiva beyond all objects of enjoyment.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice deliberate detachment during worship—offer the mind to Shiva through japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and reinforce vairagya with Tripundra (bhasma) and steady daily puja rather than pursuit of display and luxury.