Shloka 5

Śivakṣetra–Tīrtha–Māhātmya

The Salvific Function of Shiva’s Sacred Domains

Devanagari script

तीर्थे क्षेत्रे सदाकार्यं स्नानदानजपादिकम् । अन्यथा रोगदारिद्र य्मूकत्वाद्याप्नुयान्नरः

Transliteration

tīrthe kṣetre sadākāryaṃ snānadānajapādikam | anyathā rogadāridra ymūkatvādyāpnuyānnaraḥ

Translation

At a tīrtha (holy ford) and within a kṣetra (sacred domain), one should ever perform such rites as purifying bath, charitable giving, and mantra-recitation (japa), and the like. Otherwise, a person may fall into afflictions—disease, poverty, even dumbness, and similar woes.

Word by Word

• tīrthe: at a sacred ford/pilgrimage place
• tīrthe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tīrtha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th case/Locative), एकवचन

• kṣetre: in a sacred field/holy place
• kṣetre: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣetra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• sadā: always
• sadā: Avyaya-sambandha (अव्यय-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sadā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक (adverb of time)

• kāryam: should be done
• kāryam: Vidhi (विधि)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kārya (कृदन्त; √kṛ/कृ + यत्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषणम्/कर्तव्यता (gerundive: ‘to be done’)

• snāna-dāna-japa-ādikam: bathing, charity, japa, and the like
• snāna-dāna-japa-ādikam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: snāna (प्रातिपदिक) + dāna (प्रातिपदिक) + japa (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्वः (‘bathing, giving, recitation, etc.’)

• anyathā: otherwise
• anyathā: Avyaya-sambandha (अव्यय-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: anyathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकार/विपरीतार्थक (otherwise)

• roga-dāridrya-mūkatva-ādi: disease, poverty, dumbness, etc.
• roga-dāridrya-mūkatva-ādi: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: roga (प्रातिपदिक) + dāridrya (प्रातिपदिक) + mūkatva (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्वः (रोगादि-समूहः)

• āpnuyāt: would obtain
• āpnuyāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √āp (आप्)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष? actually तृतीयपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• naraḥ: a man/person
• naraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case/Nominative), एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that sacred places are meant for purposeful Shaiva practice—purification (snāna), selfless offering (dāna), and inner worship through mantra (japa); neglecting dharmic conduct in such spaces leads to karmic decline and suffering.

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

Tīrthas and kṣetras are traditionally centered on Shiva’s presence through the Liṅga; bathing, giving, and japa become offerings to Saguna Shiva, aligning the devotee’s body, wealth, and speech-mind with worship.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Perform tīrtha-snān (ritual bath), give charity according to capacity, and do mantra-japa—especially Shaiva japa such as the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”)—as the core takeaway.