Shloka 87

Praṇava-Māhātmya and the Twofold Mantra (Sūkṣma–Sthūla) in Śaiva Sādhanā

Devanagari script

क्रियादिवृषभा ज्ञेयाः कारणादिषु सर्वदा । तं क्रियावृषभं धर्मं कालातीतोधितिष्ठति

Transliteration

kriyādivṛṣabhā jñeyāḥ kāraṇādiṣu sarvadā | taṃ kriyāvṛṣabhaṃ dharmaṃ kālātītodhitiṣṭhati

Translation

ക്രിയ മുതലായ ‘വൃഷഭങ്ങൾ’ കാരണതത്ത്വങ്ങളിലുമെല്ലാം എപ്പോഴും നിലനിൽക്കുന്നതായി അറിയുക. ക്രിയാബലമുള്ള ആ ധർമ്മവൃഷഭത്തെ കാലാതീതനായ ശിവൻ അധിഷ്ഠിക്കുന്നു—ധരിക്കുകയും അതീതനായി നിലകൊള്ളുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നു.

Word by Word

• क्रियादिवृषभाः: the bulls beginning with (the bull of) action
• क्रियादिवृषभाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kriyā (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक) + vṛṣabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (क्रियादिषु वृषभाः / क्रियादि-सम्बन्धिनः वृषभाः)

• ज्ञेयाः: are to be known
• ज्ञेयाः: Vidhi (विधि)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jñā (ज्ञा धातु) → jñeya (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विधिलिङ्गार्थक-भाव्य/कर्तव्य (gerundive, -य) ‘to be known’

• कारणादिषु: in causes and the like
• कारणादिषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāraṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (कारणादि-समूह)

• सर्वदा: always
• सर्वदा: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sarvadā (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

• तम्: that (him/it)
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• क्रियावृषभम्: the bull of action
• क्रियावृषभम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kriyā (प्रातिपदिक) + vṛṣabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (क्रियायाः वृषभः / क्रियासम्बन्धी वृषभः)

• धर्मम्: Dharma
• धर्मम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (अप्पोजिशन: तं … धर्मम्)

• कालातीतः: beyond time
• कालातीतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāla (प्रातिपदिक) + atīta (अतीत, कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त ‘अतीत’; तत्पुरुषः (कालम् अतीतः)

• अधि: over / upon
• अधि: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: adhi (अव्यय/उपसर्ग)
• Form: उपसर्ग/अव्यय (preverb/adverb: ‘over/upon’)

• तिष्ठति: stands / abides
• तिष्ठति: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sthā (स्था धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Contemplation that all dharma-supports (kriyā etc.) rest upon and are transcended by Kāla-atīta Śiva; strengthens niṣkāma-kriyā and surrender leading to anugraha.

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Kāla-atīta principle (beyond cosmic time) implied

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Dharma
• Kala (Time)

FAQs

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

It teaches that dharmic discipline (kriyā) is a real support within the cosmos, yet liberation ultimately depends on Śiva, the Kalātīta Pati, who both sustains and surpasses time-bound causality.

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

Linga-worship embodies disciplined kriyā (abhisheka, mantra, vrata) performed within time, while pointing to Śiva who is beyond time; thus Saguna worship becomes a doorway to realizing the transcendent Lord.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Perform steady kriyā such as Panchākṣarī japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with Linga-pūjā and a dharmic vow (vrata), offering actions to Śiva who alone grants freedom beyond Kāla.