Shloka 16

Kālajñāna (Knowledge of Time) and Mṛtyu-cihna (Signs of Death): Śiva’s Instruction to Umā

Devanagari script

स्थूलजिह्वा भवेद्यस्य द्विजाः क्लिद्यंति भामिनि । षण्मासाज्जायते मृत्युश्चिह्नैस्तैरुपलक्षयेत्

Transliteration

sthūlajihvā bhavedyasya dvijāḥ klidyaṃti bhāmini | ṣaṇmāsājjāyate mṛtyuścihnaistairupalakṣayet

Translation

O fair lady, if a person’s tongue becomes thick and the twice-born (the learned brāhmaṇas) appear to grow listless and weakened, then death arises within six months. One should recognize it by these signs.

Word by Word

• स्थूल-जिह्वा: a thick tongue
• स्थूल-जिह्वा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थूल (प्रातिपदिक) + जिह्वा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nom. 1), एकवचन (sg.)

• भवेत्: would be / becomes
• भवेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd), एकवचन (sg.)

• यस्य: of whom / whose
• यस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Gen. 6), एकवचन (sg.)

• द्विजाः: the teeth (lit. twice-born)
• द्विजाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nom. 1), बहुवचन (pl.)

• क्लिद्यन्ति: become moist / ooze
• क्लिद्यन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: क्लिद् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन (pl.), आत्मनेपद

• भामिनि: O lovely lady
• भामिनि: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भामिनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Voc.), एकवचन (sg.)

• षण्मासात्: from (within) six months
• षण्मासात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: षण्मास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Abl. 5), एकवचन (sg.)

• जायते: arises / occurs
• जायते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जन् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd), एकवचन (sg.), आत्मनेपद

• मृत्युः: death
• मृत्युः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मृत्यु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nom. 1), एकवचन (sg.)

• चिह्नैः: by signs
• चिह्नैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चिह्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instr. 3), बहुवचन (pl.)

• तैः: by those
• तैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.)/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instr. 3), बहुवचन (pl.)

• उपलक्षयेत्: one should recognize/identify
• उपलक्षयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-लक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd), एकवचन (sg.), परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Shiva

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahadeva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati

FAQs

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

The verse frames bodily omens as reminders of impermanence, urging timely turning toward Shiva (Pati) through devotion and inner discipline so that the bound soul (paśu) loosens the fetters (pāśa) before death.

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

By highlighting life’s uncertainty, it supports steadfast Saguna Shiva worship (Linga-bhakti) as a stabilizing refuge—regular pūjā, remembrance, and surrender prepare the mind to rest in Shiva when the body declines.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is consistent japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with daily Shiva-smaraṇa; if following Shaiva custom, maintain Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as supports for recollection and steadiness.