Shloka 2

छायापुरुषलक्षणवर्णनम्

Description of the Marks of the Shadow-Person

Devanagari script

कथितं ते समासेनच्छायिकं ज्ञानमुत्तमम् । विस्तरेण समाख्याहि योगिनां हितकाम्यया

Transliteration

kathitaṃ te samāsenacchāyikaṃ jñānamuttamam | vistareṇa samākhyāhi yogināṃ hitakāmyayā

Translation

You have explained, in brief, the excellent “shadow-like” knowledge (as an outline). Now, out of compassion and for the welfare of yogins, please expound it in detail.

Word by Word

• कथितम्: has been told
• कथितम्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कथ् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: कृदन्त (past passive participle, क्त); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘has been told’

• ते: to you
• ते: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: चतुर्थी (4th/Dative) एकवचन (to you) / alternatively षष्ठी (Genitive) in some contexts; here dative fits ‘told to you’

• समासेन: briefly
• समासेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: samāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; ‘in brief/by summary’

• छायिकम्: shadow-like / outline-form
• छायिकम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: chāyika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

• ज्ञानम्: knowledge
• ज्ञानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jñāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• उत्तमम्: excellent
• उत्तमम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: uttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (of ‘ज्ञानम्’)

• विस्तरेण: in detail
• विस्तरेण: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vistara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; ‘in detail’

• समाख्याहि: explain/tell
• समाख्याहि: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-ख्या (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), परस्मैपद; मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन

• योगिनाम्: of yogins
• योगिनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yogin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• हितकाम्यया: for the sake of (their) welfare
• हितकाम्यया: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hita + kāmyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (हितस्य काम्या = desire for welfare)

Speaker

Parvati

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Parvati

FAQs

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

It shows the movement from a brief doctrinal outline to a fuller Shaiva exposition meant to uplift seekers—especially yogins—toward right knowledge that leads to liberation under the grace of Pati (Shiva).

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

By requesting a detailed teaching, the verse sets the stage for connecting inner yogic understanding with practical devotion—where Saguna worship (such as Linga-upasana) becomes a support for purifying the pashu (soul) and loosening pasha (bondage) under Shiva’s guidance.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The direct takeaway is to seek a systematic, detailed yogic method rather than a mere summary—typically supported in Shaiva practice by mantra-japa (especially Panchakshara), meditation on Shiva, and disciplined observances that stabilize the mind for higher knowledge.