Shloka 5

तपसो महिमा

The Greatness and Typology of Tapas

Devanagari script

तपसा दिवि मोदन्ते प्रत्यक्षं देवतागणाः । ऋषयो मुनयश्चैव सत्यं जानीह मद्वचः

Transliteration

tapasā divi modante pratyakṣaṃ devatāgaṇāḥ | ṛṣayo munayaścaiva satyaṃ jānīha madvacaḥ

Translation

By austerity (tapas), the hosts of gods rejoice openly in heaven; and so too do the ṛṣis and munis. Know my words to be true.

Word by Word

• tapasā: by austerity
• tapasā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tapas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd), Singular

• divi: in heaven
• divi: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: div (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Locative (7th), Singular

• modante: rejoice
• modante: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √mud (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), Ātmanepada, 3rd person, Plural

• pratyakṣam: directly, visibly
• pratyakṣam: Prakāra (प्रकार/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pratyakṣa (प्रातिपदिक used adverbially)
• Form: Adverbial accusative (क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण द्वितीया) meaning 'manifestly/directly'

• devatāgaṇāḥ: hosts of gods
• devatāgaṇāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: devatā + gaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Plural; तत्पुरुष: 'groups of deities'

• ṛṣayaḥ: sages
• ṛṣayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṛṣi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Plural

• munayaḥ: munis
• munayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Plural

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चय)

• eva: indeed
• eva: Avadhāraṇa (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle (अवधारण)

• satyam: the truth
• satyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: satya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular; object of imperative 'jānīha'

• jānīha: know (you)
• jānīha: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √jñā (धातु)
• Form: Imperative (लोट्), Parasmaipada, 2nd person (मध्यमपुरुष), Singular

• mat-vacaḥ: my word
• mat-vacaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम) + vacas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st), Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'my word(s)' (mat = mama)

Speaker

Lord Shiva

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Īśāna

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Rishis
• Munis

FAQs

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

The verse affirms tapas as a purifying force that brings divine joy and spiritual clarity; in Shaiva thought, disciplined austerity burns impurities (pāśa) and turns the soul (paśu) toward Shiva (Pati), making dharma and inner steadiness flourish.

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

Tapas supports Saguna Shiva worship by strengthening vows, purity, and concentration—making Linga-pūjā, japa, and meditation fruitful. The joy of devas and sages indicates that sincere discipline aligns one’s worship with Shiva’s grace and cosmic order.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Adopt a measured vrata (fasting/discipline), daily japa of the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), and steady dhyāna; pair it with simple Shaiva observances like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as supports for focused practice.