Shloka 81

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

Devanagari script

ज्ञानशब्दार्थ एवं हि तिरोधाननिवारणात् । तदर्वाक्परिवर्तंते ह्याधिभौतिकपूजकाः

Transliteration

jñānaśabdārtha evaṃ hi tirodhānanivāraṇāt | tadarvākparivartaṃte hyādhibhautikapūjakāḥ

Translation

For the very meaning of the word “knowledge” is the removal of veiling (tirodhāna); therefore, those who worship only the outward, material level turn back and remain below that true attainment.

Word by Word

• ज्ञानशब्दार्थः: the meaning of the word ‘jñāna’
• ज्ञानशब्दार्थः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञान-शब्द-अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता/विषय), एकवचन; समासः बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः (ज्ञानस्य शब्दार्थः / ज्ञान-शब्दस्य अर्थः)

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriya-visheshaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, प्रकारार्थक (adverb: thus)

• हि: indeed/for
• हि: Sambandha-bodhaka (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), हेत्वर्थ/निश्चयार्थक

• तिरोधान-निवारणात्: from (the) removal of concealment
• तिरोधान-निवारणात्: Hetu/Apadana (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तिरोधान-निवारण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (अपादान/हेतु), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (तिरोधानस्य निवारणम्)

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• अर्वाक्: downwards; below
• अर्वाक्: Kriya-visheshaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अर्वाक् (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय, दिशावाचक (adverb: downward/below)

• परिवर्तन्ते: turn back; revert
• परिवर्तन्ते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि-√वृत् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha-bodhaka (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle)

• आधिभौतिकपूजकाः: worshippers of the adhibhautika (external/material)
• आधिभौतिकपूजकाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आधिभौतिक-पूजक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (आधिभौतिकं पूजयन्ति इति/आधिभौतिकस्य पूजकाः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It defines true jñāna as the lifting of tirodhāna (the veiling that hides Shiva/Reality). Without inner unveiling, one remains confined to lower, outward levels of practice and does not reach liberating insight.

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

Linga/Saguna worship is upheld when it leads inward—purifying the mind and removing ignorance. The verse cautions that if worship stays merely ādhibhautika (only external/material), it does not culminate in the realization of Shiva as the inner Truth.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Perform Linga-pūjā with japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and contemplative focus on removing inner ignorance—so the ritual becomes a means to dispel tirodhāna rather than remaining purely external.