Shloka 41

Devanagari script

सकलत्वमतो ज्ञेयमीशत्वं मयि सत्वरम् । यदिदं निष्कलं स्तंभं मम ब्रह्मत्वबोधकम्

Transliteration

sakalatvamato jñeyamīśatvaṃ mayi satvaram | yadidaṃ niṣkalaṃ staṃbhaṃ mama brahmatvabodhakam

Translation

Therefore, know without delay My lordly sovereignty as the manifest (sakala) Lord. This partless (niṣkala) pillar reveals My Brahman‑nature—My absolute reality beyond all limitation.

Word by Word

• सकलत्वम्: wholeness/with-parts-ness
• सकलत्वम्: Karma (कर्म/Object of ज्ञेयम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सकलत्व (प्रातिपदिक; सकल + त्व)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन — nominative/accusative singular (abstract noun)

• अतः: therefore
• अतः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Causal)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अतः (अव्यय)
• Form: हेतुवाचक-अव्यय (causal adverb: ‘therefore/from this’)

• ज्ञेयम्: is to be known
• ज्ञेयम्: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicative)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्ञा (धातु) + यत् (कृदन्त)
• Form: भाव्य/विधेयार्थक कृदन्त (gerundive/यत्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — ‘to be known’

• ईशत्वम्: lordship
• ईशत्वम्: Karma (कर्म/Object of ज्ञेयम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ईशत्व (प्रातिपदिक; ईश + त्व)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन — nominative/accusative singular (abstract noun)

• मयि: in me
• मयि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन — locative singular (‘in me’)

• सत्वरम्: quickly, at once
• सत्वरम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सत्वर (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययप्राय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb) — manner

• यत्: which
• यत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Relative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — relative pronoun ‘which’

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Demonstrative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — demonstrative ‘this’

• निष्कलम्: partless, without divisions
• निष्कलम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निष्कल (प्रातिपदिक; निः + कल)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन — accusative singular; विशेषण (qualifying स्तम्भम्)

• स्तम्भम्: pillar
• स्तम्भम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्तम्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन — accusative singular

• मम: my/of me
• मम: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन — genitive singular

• ब्रह्मत्व: of Brahman-hood
• ब्रह्मत्व: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मत्व (प्रातिपदिक; ब्रह्मन् + त्व)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन — genitive singular (used in compound)

• बोधकम्: indicating/revealing
• बोधकम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बोधक (प्रातिपदिक; बुध् धातु से ण्वुल्/क)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन — accusative singular; विशेषण (qualifying स्तम्भम्)

Speaker

Lord Shiva

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Liṅgodbhava

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: The verse evokes the Niṣkala ‘pillar’ (stambha) that reveals Śiva’s Brahman-nature—iconically the Liṅgodbhava motif where the infinite column discloses the Lord beyond measure and attributes.

Significance: Contemplation of the niṣkala-sakala unity leads from conceptual knowledge to direct recognition of Śiva as the Supreme (Pati), preparing the aspirant for grace (anugraha).

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Allusion to the infinite cosmic pillar (stambha) as a theophany revealing the nirguṇa/niṣkala Absolute.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that Shiva is to be known in two complementary ways: as the manifest Lord who governs creation (sakala, īśatva) and as the partless absolute reality (niṣkala) revealed through the symbol of the cosmic pillar/linga, leading the seeker toward moksha.

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

The verse frames the Linga (here as the “pillar”) as a revelatory sign: devotees worship the manifest form (sakala) while contemplating that the same Shiva is ultimately niṣkala—beyond parts and attributes—thus uniting ritual devotion with higher metaphysical insight.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditate on the Linga as the niṣkala stambha (partless pillar of reality) while repeating the Panchakshara—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—to integrate devotion to Shiva’s manifest lordship with contemplation of His formless Brahman-nature.