Shloka 35

Kālajñāna (Knowledge of Time) and Mṛtyu-cihna (Signs of Death): Śiva’s Instruction to Umā

Devanagari script

स्मरेन्नवात्मकं मंत्रं यावदष्टोत्तरं शतम् । निरीक्षयेत्ततो हस्तौ प्रतिपर्वणि यत्नतः

Transliteration

smarennavātmakaṃ maṃtraṃ yāvadaṣṭottaraṃ śatam | nirīkṣayettato hastau pratiparvaṇi yatnataḥ

Translation

ஒன்பது எழுத்து மந்திரத்தை மனத்திலே நூற்று எட்டு முறை வரை நினைந்து ஜபிக்க வேண்டும். பின்னர் இரு கைகளையும் ஒவ்வொரு மூட்டிலும் கவனமாக நோக்க வேண்டும்।

Word by Word

स्मरेत्should remember/recite mentally

नवात्मकम्consisting of nine (syllables/parts)

मन्त्रम्mantra

यावत्up to/as far as

अष्टोत्तरम्eight more (i.e., 108)

शतम्a hundred

निरीक्षयेत्should observe/examine

ततःthen/thereafter

हस्तौ(both) hands

प्रतिपर्वणिat each joint/segment (of the hand)

यत्नतःcarefully/with effort

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Īśāna

Characters & Entities

Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches disciplined japa (108 repetitions) followed by mindful observation, indicating that mantra leads the mind from sound (śabda) to steadiness and inward awareness—supporting Shaiva Siddhanta’s aim of purification and devotion to Pati (Shiva).

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

Japa is a primary Saguna practice: the devotee approaches Shiva through mantra as a sacred form. The subsequent attentive inspection reflects focused concentration (ekāgratā), which complements Linga-worship by training reverence, purity, and steadiness in ritual.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Perform 108 mental repetitions of the nine-syllabled mantra, then practice careful awareness by observing the hands joint-by-joint—an aid to concentration often paired with Shaiva japa and puja disciplines.