Shloka 40

Sadācāra–Varṇa-lakṣaṇa and Prātaḥkṛtya

Right Conduct, Social Typologies, and Morning Purification

Devanagari script

मूलाधारं समारभ्य द्वादशांतस्थितांस्तथा । विद्येशब्रह्मविष्ण्वीशजीवात्मपरमेश्वरान्

Transliteration

mūlādhāraṃ samārabhya dvādaśāṃtasthitāṃstathā | vidyeśabrahmaviṣṇvīśajīvātmaparameśvarān

Translation

Beginning from the Mūlādhāra and likewise those stationed at the Dvādaśānta, one should contemplate Vidyeśa, Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Īśa, the individual self (jīvātman), and the Supreme Lord (Parameśvara).

Word by Word

• मूलाधारम्: the mūlādhāra (root-support)
• मूलाधारम्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūla-ādhāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (मूलस्य आधारः)

• समारभ्य: starting from
• समारभ्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम्-आ-रभ् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having begun/starting from’

• द्वादशान्तस्थितान्: those situated at the dvādaśānta
• द्वादशान्तस्थितान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dvādaśa-anta-sthita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषण (स्थित); तत्पुरुषः (द्वादशान्ते स्थिताः)

• तथा: likewise/also
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अनुक्रमे (also/likewise)

• विद्येशब्रह्मविष्ण्वीशजीवात्मपरमेश्वरान्: Vidyā-īśa, Brahmā, Viṣṇu-īśa, Jīvātman, and Parameśvara (as objects)
• विद्येशब्रह्मविष्ण्वीशजीवात्मपरमेश्वरान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidyā-īśa + brahmā + viṣṇu-īśa + jīva-ātman + parama-īśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), बहुवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व/समुच्चयार्थे (enumerative compound of deities/principles)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma
• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It maps inner contemplation from the root center (Mūlādhāra) up to the transcendent yogic point (Dvādaśānta), culminating in recognizing Parameśvara (Śiva) as the supreme reality beyond the jīva and cosmic functions.

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

It supports internal (mānasa) worship: the devotee meditatively ascends through subtle centers and contemplates Śiva as Vidyeśa/Īśa and finally as Parameśvara—an inward counterpart to external Liṅga worship.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A dhyāna practice of directing awareness from Mūlādhāra upward to Dvādaśānta while contemplating Śiva’s lordship over knowledge and the cosmos; this can be paired with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) as a focused inner worship.