Shloka 83

बन्धमोक्षवर्णनम्

Bondage and Liberation: The Prakṛti–Karma Wheel and Śiva as the Transcendent Cause

Devanagari script

स्वहस्ताद्गुरुहस्ताद्वाशिवभक्तस्य लक्षणम् । गुणान्रुंध इति प्रोक्तो गुरुशब्दस्य विग्रहः

Transliteration

svahastādguruhastādvāśivabhaktasya lakṣaṇam | guṇānruṃdha iti prokto guruśabdasya vigrahaḥ

Translation

శివభక్తుని లక్షణం ఏమనగా, (పవిత్ర చిహ్నం/దీక్షా-చిహ్నం) తన చేతితో గానీ గురువు చేతితో గానీ స్వీకరించుట. ‘గురు’ అనే పదవ్యాఖ్య—గుణాలను రుంధించువాడు అని చెప్పబడింది।

Word by Word

• स्वहस्तात्: from (one's) own hand
• स्वहस्तात्: अपादान (Ablative source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; समासः—स्वस्य हस्तः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• गुरुहस्तात्: from the guru's hand
• गुरुहस्तात्: अपादान (Ablative source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक) + हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; समासः—गुरोः हस्तः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• वा: or
• वा: विकल्प (Alternative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (disjunctive particle)

• शिवभक्तस्य: of a devotee of Śiva
• शिवभक्तस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक) + भक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; समासः—शिवस्य भक्तः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• लक्षणम्: the characteristic/mark
• लक्षणम्: कर्ता/विधेय (Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• गुणान्: the qualities (guṇas)
• गुणान्: कर्म (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• रुन्धे: restrains/blocks
• रुन्धे: क्रिया (Verb/Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: रुध् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• इति: thus
• इति: वाक्य-समाप्ति/उद्धरण (Quotation marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/इत्यर्थक-अव्यय (quotative particle)

• प्रोक्तः: is said/declared
• प्रोक्तः: विधेय (Predicate; 'is said')
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + वच् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त—क्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• गुरुशब्दस्य: of the word ‘guru’
• गुरुशब्दस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक) + शब्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; समासः—गुरोः शब्दः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• विग्रहः: analysis/derivation (explication)
• विग्रहः: कर्ता/विधेय (Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Guru

FAQs

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

It defines a true Śiva-bhakta by the presence of an authentic mark of devotion received through disciplined practice or Guru-guidance, and it elevates the Guru’s role as the one who subdues the binding guṇas that keep the soul (paśu) in bondage.

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

In Vidyeśvara teachings, external observances and marks connected with Śiva-worship support Saguna devotion to the Liṅga, while the Guru directs the devotee beyond mere outer identity toward inner purification—reducing rajas and tamas and stabilizing sattva for steadfast Liṅga-bhakti.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Seek proper guidance for Śiva-devotion through a competent Guru (or disciplined self-observance as taught), then practice steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and cultivate guṇa-restraint through purity, restraint, and focused worship.