Shloka 5

Viśvānara-Gṛhapati Upākhyāna — Śivasya Agni-gṛhe Avatāraḥ

The Account of Viśvānara Gṛhapati and Śiva’s Descent into the House of Fire

Devanagari script

विज्ञाताखिलशास्त्रार्थस्सदाचाररतस्सदा । शैवाचारप्रवीणोऽति लौकिकाचारविद्वरः

Transliteration

vijñātākhilaśāstrārthassadācāraratassadā | śaivācārapravīṇo'ti laukikācāravidvaraḥ

Translation

Había dominado el sentido de todas las śāstra y permanecía siempre dedicado al sadācāra, la recta conducta. Era sumamente diestro en las disciplinas del Śaiva-ācāra y el más eminente entre quienes conocen el debido proceder en el mundo.

Word by Word

• vijñāta-akhila-śāstra-arthaḥ: knower of the meanings of all scriptures
• vijñāta-akhila-śāstra-arthaḥ: Pradhāna-nāma (प्रधान-नाम/Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi + jñā (धातु) + akhila + śāstra + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā vibhakti, Ekavacana; kṛdanta: vijñāta (kta, past passive participle) used adjectivally; compound sense: akhilānāṃ śāstrāṇāṃ arthaḥ yena vijñātaḥ (one who has known the meanings of all śāstras)

• sadācāra-rataḥ: devoted to righteous conduct
• sadācāra-rataḥ: Pradhāna-nāma (प्रधान-नाम/Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sat + ācāra + rata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā vibhakti, Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: sadācāre rataḥ (devoted to good conduct)

• sadā: always
• sadā: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रिया-विशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sadā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; kāla-avyaya (adverb of time)

• śaiva-ācāra-pravīṇaḥ: skilled in Śaiva discipline
• śaiva-ācāra-pravīṇaḥ: Pradhāna-nāma (प्रधान-नाम/Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śaiva + ācāra + pravīṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā vibhakti, Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: śaive ācāre pravīṇaḥ (skilled in Śaiva conduct)

• ati: very; exceedingly
• ati: Viśeṣaṇa-viśeṣaka (विशेषण-विशेषक/Intensifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ati (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; upasarga/particle used as intensifier (very/exceedingly)

• laukika-ācāra-vit-varaḥ: best knower of worldly conduct
• laukika-ācāra-vit-varaḥ: Pradhāna-nāma (प्रधान-नाम/Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: laukika + ācāra + vid (प्रातिपदिक) + vara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā vibhakti, Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: laukike ācāre vit (knower) + vara (best) → best knower of worldly conduct

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse presents the Shaiva ideal: true spiritual maturity combines scriptural understanding with steady sadācāra (ethical discipline) and trained Śaiva observance—outer conduct supporting inner devotion to Pati (Śiva).

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

Śaivācāra points to regulated worship of Saguna Śiva—especially Linga-upāsanā—where correct ritual, purity, and devotion are aligned with dharma, so worship becomes a means of grace and liberation.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It implies disciplined Śaiva practice: daily Shiva-pūjā and mantra-japa (notably the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), along with observances such as bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa where appropriate to one’s āśrama and capacity.