Shloka 57

शिवध्यानपूजनवर्णनम्

Description of Śiva Meditation and Worship

Devanagari script

दक्षिणे शूलपरशुवज्रखड्गानलोज्ज्वलम्

Transliteration

dakṣiṇe śūlaparaśuvajrakhaḍgānalojjvalam

Translation

右方には（御身が）赫々と輝き、三叉戟・斧・金剛杵・剣・火を執して、抗しがたい威力の光を放っている。

Word by Word

• दक्षिणे: on the right (side)
• दक्षिणे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्षिण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; दिक्शब्द (locative)

• शूलपरशुवज्रखड्गानलोज्ज्वलम्: shining with trident, axe, thunderbolt, sword, and fire
• शूलपरशुवज्रखड्गानलोज्ज्वलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शूल + परशु + वज्र + खड्ग + अनल + उज्ज्वल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; समाहार/समुच्चय-तत्पुरुष (शूल-परशु-वज्र-खड्ग-अनलैः उज्ज्वलम्)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Rudra

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It portrays Saguna Shiva as the all-powerful Pati whose radiant weapons symbolize the destruction of ignorance (pāśa) and the protection of the devotee (paśu), guiding the soul toward liberation.

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

The verse supports Saguna contemplation—visualizing Shiva’s awe-inspiring form—while Linga worship anchors the same reality in a formless symbol; both lead the mind to one Shiva through devotion and steadiness.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Dhyāna (meditative visualization) of Shiva’s radiant form alongside japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) is implied; one may also support this with Tripuṇḍra bhasma and Rudrākṣa as Shaiva aids.