Shloka 42

तपसो महिमा

The Greatness and Typology of Tapas

Devanagari script

यदा न ज्ञायते मृत्युः कदा कस्य भविष्यति । आकस्मिके हि मरणे धृतिं विंदति कस्तथा

Transliteration

yadā na jñāyate mṛtyuḥ kadā kasya bhaviṣyati | ākasmike hi maraṇe dhṛtiṃ viṃdati kastathā

Translation

Cuando no se sabe cuándo vendrá la muerte ni a quién le llegará, ¿quién puede hallar verdadera firmeza de ánimo cuando la muerte sobreviene de improviso?

Word by Word

यदाwhen

नnot

ज्ञायतेis known

मृत्युःdeath

कदाwhen?

कस्यof whom

भविष्यतिwill happen

आकस्मिकेin sudden (unexpected)

हिindeed, for

मरणेin death, at dying

धृतिम्steadfastness, composure

विन्दतिfinds, attains

कःwho

तथाthus, in that way

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

FAQs

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

It emphasizes the uncertainty of death to awaken vairagya (detachment) and urgency for sadhana, directing the mind toward Pati (Shiva) as the stable refuge beyond worldly unpredictability.

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

Because life’s end is uncertain, the Purana urges steady remembrance and worship of Saguna Shiva through Linga-upasana, so devotion and surrender become constant rather than delayed for a “later time.”

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Daily japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with inward recollection of Shiva, supported by simple Shaiva observances like Tripundra (bhasma) and Rudraksha, to cultivate dhṛti (steadiness) amid uncertainty.