Shloka 22

छायापुरुषलक्षणवर्णनम्

Description of the Marks of the Shadow-Person

Devanagari script

तस्माज्ज्ञानं यथायोगमभ्यसेत्सततं बुधः । अभ्यासाज्जायते सिद्धिर्योगोऽभ्यासात्प्रवर्धते

Transliteration

tasmājjñānaṃ yathāyogamabhyasetsatataṃ budhaḥ | abhyāsājjāyate siddhiryogo'bhyāsātpravardhate

Translation

Therefore, the wise should constantly cultivate spiritual knowledge in a manner suited to Yoga. From steady practice arises siddhi (attainment), and through practice Yoga itself grows and becomes firmly established.

Word by Word

• तस्मात्: therefore/from that
• तस्मात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पञ्चमी विभक्ति, एकवचन

• ज्ञानम्: knowledge
• ज्ञानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• यथा: according to
• यथा: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमान/प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: 'as/according to')

• योगम्: fitness/propriety
• योगम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषणार्थ-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; 'यथा' इत्यनेन सह 'यथायोगम्' अर्थः

• अभ्यसेत्: should practice
• अभ्यसेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि√अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• सततम्: constantly
• सततम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सतत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (कालवाचक-क्रियाविशेषण: 'always/continually')

• बुधः: a wise person
• बुधः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अभ्यासात्: from practice
• अभ्यासात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभ्यास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी विभक्ति, एकवचन

• जायते: is born/arises
• जायते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √जन् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• सिद्धिः: success/accomplishment
• सिद्धिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन

• योगः: yoga
• योगः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अभ्यासात्: from practice
• अभ्यासात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभ्यास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्रवर्धते: increases/grows
• प्रवर्धते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र√वृध् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

Speaker

Lord Shiva (teaching Umā/Parvati in the Umāsaṃhitā’s philosophical discourse)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati

FAQs

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

It teaches that liberation-oriented knowledge is not merely intellectual; it matures through continuous disciplined practice (abhyāsa), by which Yoga becomes stable and spiritual attainment (siddhi) arises under Shiva’s grace.

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

Regular worship—such as Linga-pūjā, mantra-japa, and meditation on Saguna Shiva—functions as abhyāsa: it steadies the mind, purifies bonds (pāśa), and supports the rise of true knowledge that leads toward realizing Shiva as Pati.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A consistent daily sādhanā is implied: Panchākṣarī japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), dhyāna, and disciplined observances; if practiced with steadiness, they strengthen Yoga and culminate in spiritual accomplishment.