Shloka 56

Jaṭilāvatāra-Parīkṣā: Pārvatyāḥ Tapasāṃ Parīkṣaṇam

The Jaṭilā Episode and the Testing of Pārvatī’s Austerity

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मचारिस्वरूपेण भावमिच्छुस्त्वदीयकम् । तवोपकण्ठमागत्य प्रावोचं विविधं वचः

Transliteration

brahmacārisvarūpeṇa bhāvamicchustvadīyakam | tavopakaṇṭhamāgatya prāvocaṃ vividhaṃ vacaḥ

Translation

Deseando hacer aflorar la intención íntima que había en ti, asumí la forma de un brahmacārin. Luego, acercándome a tu lado, te hablé de muchas maneras, con palabras diversas para probar y revelar tu determinación.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मचारि-स्वरूपेण: in the form of a brahmacārin
• ब्रह्मचारि-स्वरूपेण: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मचारि (प्रातिपदिक) + स्वरूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/Instrumental), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (ब्रह्मचारिणः स्वरूपम्)

• भावम्: a feeling/intent
• भावम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म/Accusative), एकवचन

• इच्छुः: desiring
• इच्छुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इष् (धातु) → इच्छु (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कृदन्तः—उणादि/कृदन्त-प्रत्ययान्त (इच्छु = इच्छन्/इच्छुकः), विशेषणरूपेण कर्तरि

• त्वदीयकम्: belonging to you
• त्वदीयकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्वदीयक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (भावम् इति)

• तव: of you/your
• तव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध/Genitive), एकवचन

• उपकण्ठम्: near (your) side/close presence
• उपकण्ठम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपकण्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; गत्यर्थे कर्म (destination as object)

• आगत्य: having come
• आगत्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आ-गम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund)

• प्रावोचम्: I spoke/declared
• प्रावोचम्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-√वच् (धातु)
• Form: लुङ्-लकार (Aorist), उत्तम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• विविधम्: various
• विविधम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विविध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (वचः इति)

• वचः: words/speech
• वचः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (वचस्-शब्दः; acc. sg. = वचः)

Speaker

Lord Shiva

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Bhikṣāṭana

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It shows that Shiva tests a seeker’s inner bhāva (intention) rather than outer display; true progress in Shaiva dharma is measured by steadiness, purity, and sincerity under trial.

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

Shiva’s taking a visible form (saguṇa) to examine devotion teaches that Linga-worship is not mere ritual—its power is fulfilled when the devotee’s inner resolve and surrender become firm.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Maintain a vow-like discipline (brahmacarya/samyama), speak truthfully, and repeat Shiva’s mantra (especially the Pañcākṣarī) while cultivating steady bhakti—so one’s inner intention remains pure even when tested.