Shloka 94

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

Devanagari script

शिवालयमिदं प्रोक्तं शिवस्य परमात्मनः । परशक्त्यासमायुक्तस्तत्रैव परमेश्वरः

Transliteration

śivālayamidaṃ proktaṃ śivasya paramātmanaḥ | paraśaktyāsamāyuktastatraiva parameśvaraḥ

Translation

This has been declared to be the abode of Śiva, the Supreme Self. There itself abides Parameśvara, united with His supreme Power, Parāśakti.

Word by Word

• śiva-ālayam: abode/temple of Śiva
• śiva-ālayam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva + ālaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (शिवस्य आलयः)

• idam: this
• idam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); demonstrative pronoun used adjectivally

• proktam: is declared/said
• proktam: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√vac (वच् धातु) + kta (कृत्)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त-कृदन्त), Napumsaka, Accusative, Singular; agrees with śivālayam idam

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

• paramātmanaḥ: of the Supreme Self
• paramātmanaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parama-ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन); कर्मधारयः (परमः आत्मा)

• para-śaktyā: with the supreme power (Śakti)
• para-śaktyā: Karaṇa (करण/तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: para-śakti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन); कर्मधारयः (परा शक्तिः)

• samāyuktaḥ: joined/associated
• samāyuktaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sam-ā-√yuj (युज् धातु) + kta (कृत्)
• Form: Past passive participle used adjectivally (क्त-कृदन्त), Puṃliṅga, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; qualifies parameśvaraḥ

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय) of place

• eva: indeed/only
• eva: Avyaya (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात) of emphasis

• parameśvaraḥ: the Supreme Lord
• parameśvaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parama-īśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); कर्मधारयः (परमः ईश्वरः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Frames the highest ‘Śivālaya’ as the ultimate refuge beyond bondage (pāśa), encouraging temple/inner-temple orientation where Parameśvara is realized with Parāśakti.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: dipa

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: abode-of-Śiva (parama-dhāma) affirmation: Parameśvara inseparable from Parāśakti

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parashakti

FAQs

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

It affirms that a true Śivālaya is not merely a building: it is a sacred locus where Pati (Śiva) is present along with His Parāśakti, making the place spiritually potent for grace (anugraha) and liberation-oriented worship.

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

By calling it Śiva’s “abode,” the verse supports saguna-upāsanā: devotees approach Śiva tangibly through temple and Liṅga worship, while understanding that the indwelling Lord is the transcendent Paramātman.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Temple-centered devotion is implied: perform Liṅga-pūjā with mantra-japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and meditate on Śiva inseparably united with Śakti as the inner presence of the shrine.