Shloka 152

Devanagari script

करणेन फलं याति तमसः परिहापनात् । जन्मनः परिमार्जित्वाज्ज्ञबुद्ध्या जनितानि च

Transliteration

karaṇena phalaṃ yāti tamasaḥ parihāpanāt | janmanaḥ parimārjitvājjñabuddhyā janitāni ca

Translation

By right practice of Śiva’s discipline one attains the fruit, for darkness (tamas) is driven away. Having cleansed the stains borne from birth, and those produced by deluded understanding, the seeker becomes fit for Śiva’s grace and liberation.

Word by Word

• karaṇena: by the means/instrument
• karaṇena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; instrumental of means

• phalam: fruit/result
• phalam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: phala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; here as object/goal

• yāti: goes/attains
• yāti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: yā (धाातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; गच्छति/प्राप्नोति

• tamasaḥ: of darkness/ignorance
• tamasaḥ: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tamas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन; genitive of source/association

• parihāpanāt: from the removal (of)
• parihāpanāt: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parihāpana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/अपादान), एकवचन; ablative: 'from/through removal'

• janmanaḥ: of birth
• janmanaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: janman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• parimārjitvāt: having cleansed; due to cleansing
• parimārjitvāt: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pari-mṛj (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (absolutive/gerund) from परिमार्जयति; here with -āt: 'because of having cleansed/after cleansing'

• jñabuddhyā: by wise understanding
• jñabuddhyā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jña-buddhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ज्ञस्य बुद्धिः (wise/intelligent understanding)

• janitāni: produced/caused (things)
• janitāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: janita (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from √jan)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि क्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन; qualifying implied 'things'

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Teaches the inner purpose of pilgrimage/discipline: removal of tamas and karmic stains so the soul becomes fit (adhikārin) for Śiva’s grace and liberation.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that the promised fruit of Shaiva practice is the removal of tamas (spiritual darkness), cleansing both innate (birth-conditioned) impurities and errors born of deluded intellect—preparing the soul for Shiva’s liberating grace.

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

Linga-worship and Saguna Shiva-upasana are presented as practical means (karaṇa) that dispel tamas and purify the devotee’s inner instruments, making devotion mature into knowledge and freedom.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Steady Shaiva sadhana—especially japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), dhyana on Shiva, and purificatory observances like bhasma (Tripundra) and disciplined conduct—aimed at removing tamas and correcting deluded cognition.