Shloka 38

प्रणवमहिमा — The Greatness of the Praṇava (Om) as Śiva

Devanagari script

व्रतादिनिरतः शान्तस्तपस्वी विजितेन्द्रियः । शौचाचारसमायुक्तो भूदेवो वेदनिष्ठितः

Transliteration

vratādinirataḥ śāntastapasvī vijitendriyaḥ | śaucācārasamāyukto bhūdevo vedaniṣṭhitaḥ

Translation

तो व्रत-आदी आचरणात तत्पर, स्वभावाने शांत, तपस्वी व इंद्रियजयी होता. शौच व सदाचाराने युक्त असा तो ‘भूदेव’ (ब्राह्मण) वेदनिष्ठ होता।

Word by Word

• व्रतादिनिरतः: engaged in vows etc.
• व्रतादिनिरतः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: व्रत-आदि-निरत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—व्रतादिषु निरतः (सप्तमी-तत्पुरुष)

• शान्तः: peaceful
• शान्तः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शान्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• तपस्वी: ascetic
• तपस्वी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस्विन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; इन्-प्रत्ययान्त

• विजितेन्द्रियः: one who has conquered the senses
• विजितेन्द्रियः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विजित-इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—विजितानि इन्द्रियाणि यस्य

• शौचाचारसमायुक्तः: endowed with purity and proper conduct
• शौचाचारसमायुक्तः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शौच-आचार-सम्-आयुक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—शौचेन आचारेण च समायुक्तः (तृतीया-तत्पुरुष/बहुपद)

• भूदेवः: a brāhmaṇa (lit. god on earth)
• भूदेवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूदेव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—भूमेः देवः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/उपचारतः ब्राह्मणः)

• वेदनिष्ठितः: steadfast in the Veda
• वेदनिष्ठितः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेद-निष्ठित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—वेदे निष्ठितः (सप्तमी-तत्पुरुष)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It defines the inner qualifications for approaching Shiva: vows, austerity, sense-mastery, and purity of conduct—traits that loosen pāśa (bondage) and make the seeker fit for Shiva’s grace (pati-anugraha).

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

Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is not merely external; it is supported by śauca (purity), vrata (observance), and indriya-jaya (sense-control). Such discipline refines the devotee so Saguna Shiva’s worship becomes a direct means toward inner transformation and liberation.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The verse points to vrata with tapas and purity—practically expressed as regulated worship, fasting/observances on Shiva days, clean conduct, and steady japa (such as the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with sense-restraint.