Shiva Purana — Satarudra Samhita, 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

Désirant faire surgir l’intention secrète qui était en toi, j’ai pris la forme d’un brahmacārin. Puis, m’approchant tout près de toi, je t’ai parlé de maintes façons, par des paroles variées, afin d’éprouver et de dévoiler ta résolution.

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.