Shloka 101

Praṇava-Māhātmya and the Twofold Mantra (Sūkṣma–Sthūla) in Śaiva Sādhanā

Devanagari script

कृपाविचक्षणः शंभुरज्ञानमपनेष्यति । अज्ञानविनिवृत्तौ तु शिवज्ञानं प्रवर्तते

Transliteration

kṛpāvicakṣaṇaḥ śaṃbhurajñānamapaneṣyati | ajñānavinivṛttau tu śivajñānaṃ pravartate

Translation

Śambhu, whose compassion is discerning and effective, removes ignorance. When ignorance is dispelled, the knowledge of Śiva naturally arises and begins to operate within the seeker.

Word by Word

• कृपाविचक्षणः: skilled in compassion
• कृपाविचक्षणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृपा + विचक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; समास: कृपायाः विचक्षणः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• शंभुः: Shambhu (Śiva)
• शंभुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शंभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

• अज्ञानम्: ignorance
• अज्ञानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• अपनेष्यति: will remove
• अपनेष्यति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अप + नी (धातु)
• Form: लृट्-लकार (Simple Future), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• अज्ञानविनिवृत्तौ: upon the cessation of ignorance
• अज्ञानविनिवृत्तौ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अज्ञान + विनिवृत्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन; समास: अज्ञानस्य विनिवृत्तिः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• तु: then/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विरोध/विशेषणार्थक-निपात (particle: but/indeed)

• शिवज्ञानम्: knowledge of Śiva
• शिवज्ञानम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव + ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; समास: शिवस्य ज्ञानम् (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• प्रवर्तते: arises/comes into operation
• प्रवर्तते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + वृत् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha

Sthala Purana: As Viśveśvara of Kāśī, Śiva is famed as the bestower of liberating knowledge (jñāna) that cuts avidyā; the Purāṇic Kāśī-māhātmya stream presents Śiva as directly granting mokṣa through upadeśa.

Significance: Darśana and worship are held to hasten jñāna and vairāgya; Kāśī is especially associated with liberation through Śiva’s grace.

Mantra Metadata

Type: panchakshara

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that liberation begins with Śiva’s grace: when Śambhu removes avidyā (bondage-causing ignorance), Śiva-jñāna dawns, enabling the soul to recognize Pati (the Lord) beyond the veils of pāśa.

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

Linga worship and Saguna devotion are practical supports through which Śiva’s compassionate power works on the devotee—purifying the mind and weakening ignorance—so that inner realization of Śiva (Śiva-jñāna) can arise.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Regular japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with Linga-pūjā and Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) can be taken as the implied discipline, since these Vidyeśvara teachings commonly frame grace as working through steady devotion and purification.