Shloka 42

भक्तिभेदाः—ज्ञानप्रधानभक्तेः प्रशंसा

Grades of Devotees and the Praise of Knowledge-Centered Devotion

Devanagari script

इदमाख्यानमनघं पवित्रं परपावनम् । स्वर्ग्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं पुत्रपौत्रफलप्रदम्

Transliteration

idamākhyānamanaghaṃ pavitraṃ parapāvanam | svargyaṃ yaśasyamāyuṣyaṃ putrapautraphalapradam

Translation

ഈ നിർമലമായ ആഖ്യാനം പവിത്രവും പരമപാവനവും ആകുന്നു. ഇത് സ്വർഗ്ഗ്യപുണ്യം, യശസ്, ദീർഘായുസ്സ്, പുത്രപൗത്രഫലം എന്നിവ നൽകുന്നു.

Word by Word

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• आख्यानम्: narrative/account
• आख्यानम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आख्यान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; apposition to इदम्

• अनघम्: sinless/blemishless
• अनघम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनघ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; qualifies आख्यानम्

• पवित्रम्: holy/purifying
• पवित्रम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पवित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; qualifies आख्यानम्

• परपावनम्: most purifying
• परपावनम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर + पावन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya (कर्मधारय): ‘supremely purifying/most purifying’; Neuter, Nominative, Singular; qualifies आख्यानम्

• स्वर्ग्यम्: heavenly/leading to heaven
• स्वर्ग्यम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वर्ग्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; qualifies आख्यानम्

• यशस्यम्: fame-giving
• यशस्यम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यशस्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; qualifies आख्यानम्

• आयुष्यम्: life-promoting
• आयुष्यम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आयुष्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; qualifies आख्यानम्

• पुत्रपौत्रफलप्रदम्: granting the benefit of sons and grandsons
• पुत्रपौत्रफलप्रदम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुत्र + पौत्र + फल + प्रद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष): ‘giver of the fruit (benefit) of sons and grandsons’; Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; qualifies आख्यानम्

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Kathā as purifier (pavitra/parapāvana) functioning like tīrtha-sevā: removes pāśa (mala/karma) tendencies and accrues puṇya leading to svarga and auspicious worldly fruits.

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

FAQs

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

It is a phalaśruti verse declaring that sincere hearing/recitation of this Shaiva narrative purifies the mind, accumulates merit, and supports dharmic prosperity—preparing the devotee for Shiva-bhakti and liberation-oriented living.

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

By praising the sanctity of the narrative, it encourages devotional śravaṇa (hearing) and kīrtana (praise), which are central supports for Saguna Shiva worship—strengthening faith that culminates in steadiness in Linga-upāsanā.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Regular śravaṇa/pāṭha of the Shiva Purana with devotion—ideally alongside simple Shaiva observances such as japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and maintaining purity of conduct—aligns with the verse’s promise of purification and merit.