Shloka 45

पितृसर्ग-श्राद्धमाहात्म्य-प्रश्नः

Pitṛ-sarga and the Greatness of Śrāddha: The Inquiry

Devanagari script

ते शप्ता ब्रह्मणा मूढा नष्टसंज्ञा भविष्यथ । तस्मात्किंचिदजानंतो नष्टसंज्ञाः पितामहम्

Transliteration

te śaptā brahmaṇā mūḍhā naṣṭasaṃjñā bhaviṣyatha | tasmātkiṃcidajānaṃto naṣṭasaṃjñāḥ pitāmaham

Translation

ಬ್ರಹ್ಮನು ಅವರಿಗೆ ಶಾಪ ನೀಡಿದನು—“ನೀವು ಮೋಹಿತರಾಗಿ ಸಮ್ಯಕ್‌ ಬೋಧವನ್ನು ಕಳೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳುವಿರಿ. ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ತಿಳಿದಿದ್ದರೂ ನಿಮ್ಮ ವಿವೇಕ ನಾಶವಾಗಿ, ಪಿತಾಮಹನಾದ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮನನ್ನೂ ಗುರುತಿಸಲಾರಿರಿ.”

Word by Word

• te: they
• te: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (सर्वनाम), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• śaptāḥ: cursed
• śaptāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śap (धातु) + kta (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: Kta-participle (क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); passive sense ‘cursed’

• brahmaṇā: by Brahmā
• brahmaṇā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• mūḍhāḥ: deluded
• mūḍhāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mūḍha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• naṣṭa-saṃjñāḥ: bereft of consciousness
• naṣṭa-saṃjñāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: naṣṭa (नष्ट, कृदन्त) + saṃjñā (संज्ञा, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) ‘naṣṭā saṃjñā yeṣām’/‘naṣṭā saṃjñā’ sense; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• bhaviṣyatha: you will become
• bhaviṣyatha: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: Luṭ (लुट्, Periphrastic Future), Madhyama-puruṣa (2nd person/मध्यम), Plural (बहुवचन); Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• tasmāt: therefore
• tasmāt: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय) used as ablative adverb ‘therefore/from that’ (तस्मात्)

• kiṃcit: something
• kiṃcit: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (सर्वनाम), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); indefinite ‘something’

• ajānantaḥ: not knowing
• ajānantaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jñā (धातु) + śatṛ (शतृ) with negation a-
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); a- privative ‘not knowing’

• naṣṭa-saṃjñāḥ: unconscious
• naṣṭa-saṃjñāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: naṣṭa (नष्ट, कृदन्त) + saṃjñā (संज्ञा, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• pitāmaham: the Grandfather (Brahmā)
• pitāmaham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pitāmaha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Brahma

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Deva-delusion as a cosmic consequence (śāpa) affecting cognition (saṃjñā-nāśa)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma

FAQs

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

The verse highlights how a curse (karma-phala) can intensify ajñāna—delusion and loss of right discernment—showing that ignorance itself is a form of bondage (pāśa) obstructing recognition of truth.

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

In Shaiva teaching, delusion prevents proper recognition of the Divine order and the right object of refuge; Linga/Saguna Shiva worship is presented as a stabilizing path that restores clarity, devotion, and correct understanding.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to counter delusion through steady japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with purity and restraint, supported by Shaiva disciplines like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and focused meditation to regain discernment.