Shloka 153

Devanagari script

यथादेशं यथाकालं यथादेहं यथाधनम् । यथायोग्यं प्रकुर्वीत क्रियादीञ्छिवभक्तिमान्

Transliteration

yathādeśaṃ yathākālaṃ yathādehaṃ yathādhanam | yathāyogyaṃ prakurvīta kriyādīñchivabhaktimān

Translation

A devotee of Śiva should perform rites and all related duties in a fitting manner—according to place, according to time, according to one’s bodily capacity, and according to one’s means—doing each practice as is truly appropriate.

Word by Word

• yathā-deśam: according to the place
• yathā-deśam: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय) + deśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव समास; अव्ययपूर्वपद; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; adverbial: 'according to place'

• yathā-kālam: according to the time
• yathā-kālam: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय) + kāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; adverbial: 'according to time'

• yathā-deham: according to the body/ability
• yathā-deham: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय) + deha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; adverbial: 'according to (one's) body/strength'

• yathā-dhanam: according to wealth
• yathā-dhanam: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय) + dhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; adverbial: 'according to wealth'

• yathā-yogyam: as is proper
• yathā-yogyam: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय) + yogya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; adverbial: 'as appropriate'

• prakurvīta: should perform
• prakurvīta: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√kṛ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद; 'should perform'

• kriyā-ādīn: rites and the like
• kriyā-ādīn: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kriyā (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (आदिशब्देन समाहार/समुच्चय): क्रियाः आदयः येषां तान्; पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; object of action

• śiva-bhaktimān: one devoted to Śiva
• śiva-bhaktimān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक) + bhaktimat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष: शिवे भक्तिः यस्य सः; पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; agent/qualified doer

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Establishes the Siddhāntic principle of adhikāra (fitness): rites must be adapted to deśa-kāla-śarīra-dhana so devotion remains sustainable and dharmic.

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that Śiva-bhakti is not measured by display but by sincerity and appropriateness—offering worship within one’s real circumstances, with humility and steadiness, which purifies the soul and supports liberation.

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

Liṅga-worship is to be adapted to context: a devotee may offer simple water, bilva, mantra-japa, or more elaborate upacāras depending on place, time, and means—Saguna worship becomes valid when done with devotion and propriety.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice proportionate discipline: daily Śiva-nāma/japa (such as Pañcākṣarī), simple Liṅga-abhiṣeka when possible, and observances like bhasma/tripuṇḍra or rudrākṣa only to the extent they can be maintained correctly and respectfully.