Shloka 86

Devanagari script

योनिलिंगस्वरूपेण शिवो जन्मनिरूपकः । तस्माज्जन्मनिवृत्त्यर्थं जन्म पूजा शिवस्य हि

Transliteration

yoniliṃgasvarūpeṇa śivo janmanirūpakaḥ | tasmājjanmanivṛttyarthaṃ janma pūjā śivasya hi

Translation

In the form of the Yoni and the Liṅga, Shiva is the revealer and regulator of birth itself. Therefore, worship of Shiva in this “birth-form” is performed for the purpose of bringing birth—rebirth—to an end.

Word by Word

• yoni-liṅga-svarūpeṇa: in the form of yoni and liṅga
• yoni-liṅga-svarūpeṇa: Karaṇa (करण/means; also manner)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yoni-liṅga-svarūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; tatpuruṣa chain: yoni + liṅga + svarūpa ('in the form of yoni and liṅga')

• śivaḥ: Śiva
• śivaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• janma-nirūpakaḥ: the determiner/expounder of birth
• janma-nirūpakaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: janma-nirūpaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; tatpuruṣa: janmanaḥ nirūpakaḥ (जन्मनः निरूपकः)

• tasmāt: therefore/from that
• tasmāt: Apādāna (अपादान/therefore-from that)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular

• janma-nivṛtti-artham: for the cessation of birth
• janma-nivṛtti-artham: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: janma-nivṛtti-artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; purpose-accusative; tatpuruṣa: janmanaḥ nivṛttiḥ (जन्मनः निवृत्तिः) + artha (अर्थ)

• janma: birth (rite)
• janma: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: janma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• pūjā: worship
• pūjā: Karta (कर्ता/subject, apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pūjā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; in apposition with janma

• śivasya: of Śiva
• śivasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/of Śiva)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Ardhanārīśvara

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Interprets liṅga-yoni worship as addressing the root of saṃsāra (birth). Pilgrimage to liṅga shrines is thus framed as a soteriological act aimed at janma-nivṛtti (cessation of rebirth), not merely worldly boons.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: creative

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Linga
• Yoni

FAQs

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

It teaches that Śiva, as the cosmic source and governor of embodied existence, is worshipped in the Liṅga-Yoni form so that the devotee may transcend the cycle of birth and attain liberation (moksha).

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

The Liṅga (with Yoni) is a saguna, worship-accessible manifestation that points to the nirguna reality of Śiva; by worshipping this form with right understanding, one moves from form-based devotion to freedom from rebirth.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Liṅga-pūjā with contemplative focus on ‘ending rebirth’—typically supported by japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), offering water and bilva leaves, and meditating on Śiva as Pati who releases the paśu from pāśa.