Shloka 4

ज्योतिर्लिङ्ग-तदुपलिङ्ग-माहात्म्यवर्णनम्

Narration of the Greatness of the Jyotirliṅga and Associated Liṅgas

Devanagari script

पुनश्च कथ्यतां तात शिवमाहात्म्यमुत्तमम् । लिंगसम्बन्धि सुप्रीत्या धन्यस्त्वं शैवसत्तमः

Transliteration

punaśca kathyatāṃ tāta śivamāhātmyamuttamam | liṃgasambandhi suprītyā dhanyastvaṃ śaivasattamaḥ

Translation

ఓ తాతా! దయచేసి మరల శివుని ఉత్తమ మహాత్మ్యాన్ని—ప్రత్యేకంగా లింగసంబంధమైనదాన్ని—వివరించుము. లింగంపై నీ ప్రేమభరితమైన ఆనందభక్తి వలన నీవు ధన్యుడవు, ఓ శైవశ్రేష్ఠా।

Word by Word

• पुनः: again
• पुनः: Adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (again)

• च: and
• च: Connector (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (and)

• कथ्यताम्: let (it) be told
• कथ्यताम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कथ् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), आत्मनेपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive sense): ‘let it be told’

• तात: O dear one/fatherly one
• तात: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तात (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• शिव-माहात्म्यम्: the greatness of Śiva
• शिव-माहात्म्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक) + माहात्म्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (शिवस्य माहात्म्यम्)

• उत्तमम्: excellent/supreme
• उत्तमम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• लिङ्ग-सम्बन्धि: related to the Liṅga
• लिङ्ग-सम्बन्धि: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लिङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + सम्बन्धिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; सम्बन्धिन्-शब्द (possessing relation)

• सुप्रीत्या: with great love/affection
• सुप्रीत्या: Karana/Hetu (करण/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुप्रीति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; भाववाचक (with great affection)

• धन्यः: fortunate/blessed
• धन्यः: Predicate (विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• त्वम्: you
• त्वम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तम-पुरुष-सर्वनाम, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• शैव-सत्तमः: the best of Śaivas
• शैव-सत्तमः: Predicate Noun (विधेय-संज्ञा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शैव (प्रातिपदिक) + सत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी/विशेषण-तत्पुरुष (शैवानां सत्तमः / शैवः सत्तमः)

Speaker

A sage-disciple among the listeners (Naimiṣāraṇya assembly) addressing Sūta Gosvāmin

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: A direct request for liṅga-sambandhi Śiva-māhātmya—signaling the Purāṇa’s pivot from avatāra narratives to liṅga theology and tīrtha-linked manifestations.

Significance: Positions liṅga-bhakti as a privileged doorway to Śiva’s grace; encourages pilgrimage and worship of liṅgas as living presences of Pati.

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Linga

FAQs

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

The verse highlights that repeatedly hearing and recounting Śiva’s glory—especially Liṅga-related māhātmya—is itself a devotional act (bhakti) that purifies the mind and strengthens orientation toward Pati (Śiva) as the liberating Lord.

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

By requesting “liṅga-sambandhi” Śiva-māhātmya, the verse affirms the Liṅga as a sacred, accessible focus of Saguna worship through which devotees approach the transcendent Śiva with love and reverence.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests śravaṇa and kīrtana—listening to and reciting Śiva-māhātmya—alongside Liṅga-upāsanā; practically, devotees may pair this with japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” while offering water and bilva leaves to the Liṅga.