Shloka 3

Devanagari script

पौरुषं प्राकृतं वस्तुज्ञेयं दीर्घाल्पकालिकम् । हारनूपुरकेयूरकिरीटमणिकुंडलैः

Transliteration

pauruṣaṃ prākṛtaṃ vastujñeyaṃ dīrghālpakālikam | hāranūpurakeyūrakirīṭamaṇikuṃḍalaiḥ

Translation

മനുഷ്യനിർമ്മിതവും പ്രാകൃതവുമായ ഭൗതികവസ്തുക്കൾ ദീർഘകാലമോ അൽപകാലമോ നിലനിന്നാലും ഒടുവിൽ നശ്വരമാണെന്ന് അറിയണം; ഹാരം, നൂപുരം, കേയൂരം, കിരീടം, മണി, കുണ്ഡലം മുതലായവ പോലെ।

Word by Word

• पौरुषम्: man-made/personal
• पौरुषम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पौरुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘वस्तु’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• प्राकृतम्: ordinary/natural
• प्राकृतम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्राकृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘वस्तु’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• वस्तु-ज्ञेयम्: a thing to be known/understood
• वस्तु-ज्ञेयम्: विधेय/विशेषण (Predicative/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वस्तु (प्रातिपदिक) + ज्ञेय (कृदन्त; ज्ञा धातु, यत्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (ज्ञेयम् वस्तु)

• दीर्घ-अल्प-कालिकम्: lasting long or short (temporary)
• दीर्घ-अल्प-कालिकम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीर्घ (प्रातिपदिक) + अल्प (प्रातिपदिक) + कालिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; द्वन्द्व-पूर्वपदसमाहारः (दीर्घं च अल्पं च) + कालिक (सम्बन्धी)

• हार-नूपुर-केयूर-किरीट-मणि-कुण्डलैः: with necklaces, anklets, armlets, crowns, gems, and earrings
• हार-नूपुर-केयूर-किरीट-मणि-कुण्डलैः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हार + नूपुर + केयूर + किरीट + मणि + कुण्डल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (list-compound)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s teaching on discerning the transient from the eternal in Shiva worship)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches viveka (discernment): all crafted, prakṛtic objects—even splendid ornaments—are time-bound, whereas devotion to Shiva as Pati (the Lord beyond change) leads the soul toward lasting freedom.

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

It redirects worship from mere external decoration to the essence of Linga-upāsanā: the Linga symbolizes the timeless reality of Shiva, while ornaments represent transient supports that should not be mistaken for the goal.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice inward-focused worship: apply Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) with remembrance of impermanence, chant the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and offer simple, sattvic items to the Linga with detachment from display.