Shloka 35

Śiva-nāma-smaraṇa and Śambhu’s Protective Manifestation

Dāruka Episode

Devanagari script

पार्थिवेशार्चनं कृत्वा तपः परमदुष्करम् । चकार वीरसेनो वै वर्षाणां द्वादशावधिः

Transliteration

pārthiveśārcanaṃ kṛtvā tapaḥ paramaduṣkaram | cakāra vīraseno vai varṣāṇāṃ dvādaśāvadhiḥ

Translation

పార్థివలింగేశ్వరుని ఆరాధన చేసి వీరసేనుడు అత్యంత దుష్కరమైన తపస్సు చేశాడు; నిజంగా పన్నెండు సంవత్సరాలపాటు దానిని కొనసాగించాడు।

Word by Word

• pārthiva-īśa-arcanaṃ: worship of the king
• pārthiva-īśa-arcanaṃ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pārthiva + īśa + arcana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (pārthivasya īśaḥ = king; tasya arcanaṃ = worship of the king)

• kṛtvā: having done
• kṛtvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive), पूर्वकाल (having done)

• tapaḥ: austerity
• tapaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tapas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• parama-duṣkaram: most difficult
• parama-duṣkaram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parama + duṣkara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (extremely difficult)

• cakāra: did/performed
• cakāra: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• vīrasenaḥ: Vīrasena
• vīrasenaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vīrasena (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• vai: indeed
• vai: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphatic particle)

• varṣāṇām: of years
• varṣāṇām: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• dvādaśa-avadhiḥ: for a period of twelve (years)
• dvādaśa-avadhiḥ: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रिया-विशेषण/परिमाण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvādaśa (संख्या) + avadhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (dvādaśa varṣāṇām avadhiḥ = a limit of twelve years)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: The devotee’s twelve-year tapas centered on a Pārthiva (earthen) liṅga functions as the karmic and devotional cause for Śiva’s later manifestation and instruction in the Nāgeśvara narrative stream.

Significance: Highlights the merit of Pārthiva-liṅga worship and sustained tapas as a means to obtain Śiva’s sākṣāt-darśana (direct vision) and boons.

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Virasena

FAQs

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

The verse highlights that steadfast bhakti expressed through Pārthiva Liṅga worship, supported by sustained tapas, purifies the pashu (bound soul) and turns the mind toward Pati (Shiva), making the devotee fit for Shiva’s grace (anugraha).

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

By naming “Pārthiveśa” (the Lord worshipped as an earthen Liṅga), it affirms Saguna-upāsanā: approaching Shiva through a consecrated form. The form anchors devotion and concentration, while the intent is communion with Shiva beyond limitation.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests Pārthiva Liṅga pūjā (making and worshipping an earthen liṅga) along with disciplined tapas—ideally supported by japa of the Panchākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), purity observances, and steady daily worship over time.