Shloka 42

Garbha-sthiti, Deha-pariṇāma, and Vairāgya-upadeśa

Embryonic Condition, Bodily Transformation, and Instruction in Detachment

Devanagari script

संवर्तितांगप्रत्यंगं जरायुपरिवेष्टितम् । संकटेनाविविक्तेन योनिमार्गेण निर्गतम्

Transliteration

saṃvartitāṃgapratyaṃgaṃ jarāyupariveṣṭitam | saṃkaṭenāviviktena yonimārgeṇa nirgatam

Translation

With all its limbs and sub-limbs contracted, wrapped in the fetal membrane, it emerges through the narrow, impure passage of the womb.

Word by Word

• संवर्तित-अङ्ग-प्रत्यङ्गम्: with limbs and sub-limbs contracted/folded
• संवर्तित-अङ्ग-प्रत्यङ्गम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सं + वर्त् (धातु) + क्त → संवर्तित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + अङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रत्यङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (संवर्तितानि अङ्गानि प्रत्यङ्गानि च यस्य/यत्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying implied ‘शरीरम्/भ्रूणम्’)

• जरायु-परिवेष्टितम्: wrapped in the amniotic membrane
• जरायु-परिवेष्टितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जरायु (प्रातिपदिक) + परि + वेष्ट् (धातु) + क्त → परिवेष्टित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (जरायुणा परिवेष्टितम् = wrapped by the amnion/placenta); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• संकटेन: by a narrow/tight (passage)
• संकटेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संकट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying अविविक्तेन)

• अविविक्तेन: undivided/without opening (not widened)
• अविविक्तेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अविविक्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; वि+विच्/विविच् धातोः क्त, नञ्-पूर्वक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन; विशेषण

• योनि-मार्गेण: through the birth canal
• योनि-मार्गेण: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योनि (प्रातिपदिक) + मार्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (योनेः मार्गः); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/मार्ग), एकवचन

• निर्गतम्: having come out/emerged
• निर्गतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर् + गम् (धातु) + क्त → निर्गत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying implied ‘शिशु/भ्रूणम्’)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It highlights the soul’s embodied condition (paśu) entering and exiting the womb under karmic compulsion, emphasizing the misery of saṃsāra and the urgency of seeking Śiva (Pati) for liberation from bondage (pāśa).

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

By portraying the helplessness of embodied birth, the verse supports turning to accessible Saguna Śiva—worshipped as the Liṅga—for grace (anugraha) that purifies karma and leads the devotee toward realization beyond bondage.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with daily Śiva-pūjā (Liṅga-abhiṣeka, bhasma/tripuṇḍra, and rudrākṣa where appropriate) as disciplines to loosen karmic bonds and cultivate liberation-oriented awareness.