Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 25

Śiva-jñāna and the Non-dual Vision of a Śiva-maya Universe (शिवज्ञानम्—सर्वं शिवमयम्)

Devanagari script

यथैव हि सुर्वणादि क्षारादेः शोधितं शुभम् । पूर्ववन्मूल्यतां याति तथा जीवोऽपि संस्कृतेः

Transliteration

yathaiva hi survaṇādi kṣārādeḥ śodhitaṃ śubham | pūrvavanmūlyatāṃ yāti tathā jīvo'pi saṃskṛteḥ

Translation

金などが、鹸（アルカリ）や諸々の精錬法によって浄められると吉祥となり、もとの価値を取り戻すように、ジーヴァ（個我）もまた、サンスカーラという聖なる修練と加持の行によって磨かれると、真の価値を再び得る。

Word by Word

• यथा: just as
• यथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, उपमानार्थ-सम्बन्ध (as/just as)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, अवधारण (emphasis/only)

• हि: for/indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), हेत्वर्थ/निश्चयार्थ

• सुवर्णादि: gold and the like
• सुवर्णादि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुवर्ण + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (सुवर्णं च आदि च = gold etc., ‘etc.’-suffix)

• क्षारादेः: from alkali and the like
• क्षारादेः: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षार + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative), एकवचन; ‘from alkali etc.’

• शोधितम्: purified
• शोधितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुध् (धातु) → शोधित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय, past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘purified’

• शुभम्: auspicious, pure
• शुभम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• पूर्ववत्: as before
• पूर्ववत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पूर्ववत् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: as before)

• मूल्यताम्: value, worth
• मूल्यताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूल्यतā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; भाववाचक (state/value)

• याति: attains, reaches
• याति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• तथा: so, likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, उपसंहार/तुलना (so/likewise)

• जीवः: the individual soul
• जीवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जीव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय/अपि-कार (also/even)

• संस्कृतेः: through refinement/purification
• संस्कृतेः: Hetu/Upaya (हेतु/उपाय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संस्कृति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative) / षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन; अर्थः—‘by/through refinement’ (instrumental sense expressed via ablative/genitive in usage)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva Purana teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya, within the Koṭirudrasaṃhitā context)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that the jīva’s obscuration is removable: like metal refined of impurities, the soul becomes fit to realize Shiva’s grace when purified by right conduct, devotion, and consecrating disciplines.

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

Linga-worship is presented as a practical means of inner refinement—through pūjā, mantra, and vows the devotee’s impurities are reduced, making the mind steady and receptive to Saguna Shiva’s saving grace, which leads toward realization.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Adopt a purification-oriented sādhana: daily Shiva-pūjā with mantra-japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī, ‘Om Namaḥ Śivāya’), observance of vrata (e.g., Mahāśivarātri), and disciplined ethical living as the ‘refining agent’ for the jīva.