Shloka 71

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

Devanagari script

तदर्वाक्पाशबंधो हि तदूर्ध्वं न हि बंधनम् । तदर्वाक्परिवर्तंते काम्यकर्मानुसारिणः

Transliteration

tadarvākpāśabaṃdho hi tadūrdhvaṃ na hi baṃdhanam | tadarvākparivartaṃte kāmyakarmānusāriṇaḥ

Translation

Below that higher state there is indeed bondage by the fetter; above it there is no bondage at all. Those who follow desire-driven rites and actions keep revolving only below it.

Word by Word

• तद्-अर्वाक्-पाश-बंधः: bondage (the noose) below that level
• तद्-अर्वाक्-पाश-बंधः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + अर्वाक् (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + पाश (प्रातिपदिक) + बन्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष: तद्-अर्वाक् (below that) इति उपपदपूर्वकः, पाशस्य बन्धः (bondage of the noose)

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक-अव्यय (indeed/for)

• तद्-ऊर्ध्वम्: above that
• तद्-ऊर्ध्वम्: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/locative sense)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + ऊर्ध्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्ययवत् प्रयोगः (adverbial): 'above that'

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (negation)

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक-अव्यय (indeed)

• बंधनम्: bondage
• बंधनम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बन्धन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• तद्-अर्वाक्: below that
• तद्-अर्वाक्: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/locative sense)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + अर्वाक् (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्ययवत् (adverb): 'below that'

• परिवर्तन्ते: they revolve/return
• परिवर्तन्ते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि-वृत् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• काम्य-कर्म-अनुसारिणः: followers of desire-driven actions
• काम्य-कर्म-अनुसारिणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काम्य (प्रातिपदिक) + कर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + अनुसारिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता/1st), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: काम्यं कर्म (desire-motivated act) तस्य अनुसारिणः (followers)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It distinguishes the realm of bondage (pāśa) from the higher state of freedom: attachment to fruit-seeking actions keeps the soul revolving in saṃsāra, while transcending desire leads beyond bondage toward Shiva-realization.

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

Linga-worship, when done as devotion and surrender rather than as a bargain for results, purifies desire and loosens pāśa; the verse warns that worship driven mainly by worldly boons remains within the lower cycle of return.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Shift from kāmya (result-oriented) rites to niṣkāma bhakti: steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and contemplative remembrance of Shiva as Pati, offered without craving for fruits.