Shloka 56

प्रणवार्थपद्धतिवर्णनम्

Methodical Explanation of the Meaning of Praṇava/Om

Devanagari script

भवद्भिरपि दातव्यमेतद्गुह्यं शिवप्रियम् । यतिभ्यश्शान्तचित्तेभ्यो भक्तेभ्यश्शिवपादयोः

Transliteration

bhavadbhirapi dātavyametadguhyaṃ śivapriyam | yatibhyaśśāntacittebhyo bhaktebhyaśśivapādayoḥ

Translation

Vosotros también debéis transmitir esta enseñanza secreta—tan querida para Śiva— a los renunciantes de mente serena y a los devotos que se aferran a los pies del Señor Śiva.

Word by Word

• bhavadbhiḥ: by you (all)
• bhavadbhiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhavat (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), बहुवचन; आदरार्थ-प्रयोग (honorific 'you')

• api: also
• api: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अपि (also/even)

• dātavyam: should be given
• dātavyam: Kriyā (क्रिया; विधेय)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dātavya (कृदन्त; √dā दा)
• Form: नीयतार्थ/विधेय कृदन्त (gerundive); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; विधेय (predicate: 'is to be given')

• etat: this
• etat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन

• guhyam: secret
• guhyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: guhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• śiva-priyam: dear to Śiva
• śiva-priyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śiva + priya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: शिवस्य प्रियम्

• yatibhyaḥ: to ascetics
• yatibhyaḥ: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी/पञ्चमी (Dat/Abl), बहुवचन; अत्र दान-सम्प्रदानार्थे चतुर्थी

• śānta-cittebhyaḥ: to those of tranquil mind
• śānta-cittebhyaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śānta + citta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसक-आश्रित बहुवचन, चतुर्थी/पञ्चमी; कर्मधारय: शान्तं चित्तं येषाम् (as adjective in plural dative)

• bhaktebhyaḥ: to devotees
• bhaktebhyaḥ: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhakta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी/पञ्चमी (Dat/Abl), बहुवचन; दान-सम्प्रदानार्थे चतुर्थी

• śiva-pādayoḥ: of Śiva’s feet
• śiva-pādayoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva + pāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी/सप्तमी (Gen/Loc), द्विवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: शिवस्य पादौ; अत्र षष्ठी (devotees 'of' Śiva's feet)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the teaching tradition and eligibility to receive Shiva’s confidential doctrine)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It defines adhikāra (spiritual eligibility): Shiva’s deepest, liberating teachings are to be shared with those who are inwardly purified—peaceful-minded renunciants and sincere devotees established in surrender to Shiva’s feet.

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

By emphasizing devotion to “Shiva’s feet,” it points to Saguna-bhakti as the doorway to grace—through which worship (including Linga-worship) becomes a qualified means for inner purification and reception of higher Shaiva knowledge.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The implied practice is cultivating śānta-citta (a pacified mind) through japa and devotion—classically, Panchākṣarī japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with disciplined conduct—so one becomes fit to receive and preserve confidential Shaiva teachings.