Shloka 17

Śiva-Śakti Tattva, Varṇa-Rahasya, and Mahāvākya-Bhāvanā

Interpretive Discipline

Devanagari script

हिरण्यश्मश्रुवांस्तद्वद्धिरण्यमयकेशवान् । नखमारभ्य केशाग्रा सर्वत्रापि हिरण्मयः

Transliteration

hiraṇyaśmaśruvāṃstadvaddhiraṇyamayakeśavān | nakhamārabhya keśāgrā sarvatrāpi hiraṇmayaḥ

Translation

ఆయనకు స్వర్ణమయమైన గడ్డం, అలాగే స్వర్ణమయమైన కేశాలు ఉన్నాయి. గోళ్ల నుండి కేశాగ్రం వరకు ఆయన సర్వత్ర హిరణ్మయుడు—దివ్య మంగళ తేజస్సుతో విరాజిల్లెను.

Word by Word

• हिरण्य-श्मश्रु-वान्: having golden beard/moustache
• हिरण्य-श्मश्रु-वान्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हिरण्य (प्रातिपदिक) + श्मश्रु (प्रातिपदिक) + वत् (प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि: ‘हिरण्यं श्मश्रु यस्य सः’

• तद्वत्: likewise
• तद्वत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद्वत् (अव्यय)
• Form: तुल्यताबोधक-अव्यय (indeclinable: ‘likewise’)

• हिरण्य-मय-केश-वान्: having hair made of gold
• हिरण्य-मय-केश-वान्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हिरण्य (प्रातिपदिक) + मयट् (प्रत्यय) + केश (प्रातिपदिक) + वत् (प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि: ‘हिरण्यमयाः केशाः यस्य सः’

• नखम्: nail
• नखम्: Apadana (अपादान/Starting point)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; आरम्भबिन्दु (starting point)

• आरभ्य: starting from
• आरभ्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आ-रभ् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund): ‘having begun from’

• केश-अग्रात्: up to the tip of the hair
• केश-अग्रात्: Apadana (अपादान/End point)
• Type: Noun
• Root: केश (प्रातिपदिक) + अग्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (Ablative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘केशस्य अग्रं’ → ‘केशाग्र’

• सर्वत्र: everywhere
• सर्वत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of place)

• अपि: also, even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), समुच्चय/अपि-अर्थ (also/even)

• हिरण्मयः: golden
• हिरण्मयः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हिरण्मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse emphasizes the auspicious, Saguna manifestation of Shiva—His form shines with ‘hiraṇmaya’ radiance, symbolizing purity, sovereignty, and the grace that uplifts the bound soul (paśu) toward liberation under the Lord (Pati).

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

It supports Saguna-upāsanā: devotees contemplate Shiva’s manifest splendor to steady devotion. In Shaiva practice, this complements Linga worship—form contemplation (dhyāna) and Linga devotion together mature bhakti into inner realization.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A dhyāna practice is implied: visualize Shiva as entirely radiant and auspicious while repeating the Panchākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya). This can be paired with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as supportive Shaiva observances.