Shloka 36

शक्तितत्त्ववर्णनम् / Exposition of the Principle of Śakti

Devanagari script

सेयं त्रिसाधना सेवा शिवधर्मश्च कथ्यते । स तु पञ्चविधः प्रोक्तः शिवेन परमात्मना

Transliteration

seyaṃ trisādhanā sevā śivadharmaśca kathyate | sa tu pañcavidhaḥ proktaḥ śivena paramātmanā

Translation

This service, accomplished through threefold disciplines, is called the Dharma of Śiva (Śiva-dharma). That Śiva-dharma has been declared by Śiva, the Supreme Self, to be of five kinds.

Word by Word

• सा: that
• सा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा विभक्ति (1st), एकवचन (sg.)

• इयम्: this
• इयम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा विभक्ति (1st), एकवचन (sg.); निर्देशार्थक सर्वनाम (demonstrative)

• त्रिसाधना: having three means
• त्रिसाधना: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि + साधन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा विभक्ति (1st), एकवचन (sg.); समासः—द्विगुः (‘त्रीणि साधनानि यस्याः’); विशेषण—‘सेवा’

• सेवा: service
• सेवा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सेवा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा विभक्ति (1st), एकवचन (sg.)

• शिवधर्मः: Śiva’s dharma
• शिवधर्मः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव + धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा विभक्ति (1st), एकवचन (sg.); समासः—तत्पुरुष (‘शिवस्य धर्मः’)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• कथ्यते: is called
• कथ्यते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कथ् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन (sg.); कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive)

• सः: it/he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा विभक्ति (1st), एकवचन (sg.)

• तु: but
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/विशेषार्थक निपात (particle: but/indeed)

• पञ्चविधः: fivefold
• पञ्चविधः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पञ्च + विध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा विभक्ति (1st), एकवचन (sg.); समासः—द्विगुः (‘पञ्च विधाः यस्य’); विशेषण—‘सः’

• प्रोक्तः: is declared
• प्रोक्तः: Kriyā (क्रिया/Predicative)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रोक्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √वच् with प्र-)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा विभक्ति (1st), एकवचन (sg.); विधेय-विशेषण (predicative)

• शिवेन: by Śiva
• शिवेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), तृतीया विभक्ति (3rd/करण), एकवचन (sg.)

• परमात्मना: by the Supreme Self
• परमात्मना: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परम + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), तृतीया विभक्ति (3rd/करण), एकवचन (sg.); समासः—कर्मधारयः (‘परमः आत्मा’)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Īśāna

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Authorizes the structured path as 'Śiva-dharma' taught by Śiva Himself; sets up a fivefold schema (pañcavidha) that aligns naturally with Siddhānta’s graded disciplines (often articulated as caryā–kriyā–yoga–jñāna, with grace completing).

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Śiva-dharma as disciplined devotional service: worship is not merely emotion but a structured path (threefold sādhanā) taught by Śiva Himself, leading the seeker toward liberation under Śiva’s grace.

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

By defining “sevā” as Śiva-dharma with recognized classifications, it supports Saguna worship—especially Linga-upāsanā—as an authorized, methodical practice within the broader philosophical teaching of the Vāyavīyasaṃhitā.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The verse points to a regulated program of practice—typically including mantra-japa (e.g., Pañcākṣarī), pūjā/abhiṣeka as devotional service, and yogic or contemplative discipline—preparing the devotee for the fivefold Śiva-dharma described in subsequent verses.