Shloka 33

पिप्पलादावतारकथनम्

Account of the Pippalāda Avatāra

Devanagari script

इति ते कथितन्तात प्रसंगाच्चरि तन्त्विदम् । पिप्पलादावतारम्भे शृणु शम्भोर्महादरात्

Transliteration

iti te kathitantāta prasaṃgāccari tantvidam | pippalādāvatārambhe śṛṇu śambhormahādarāt

Translation

ดังนี้แล ผู้เป็นที่รัก ข้าพเจ้าได้เล่าเรื่องนี้ตามลำดับโดยอาศัยเหตุแห่งเรื่องแทรกมา บัดนี้ ณ ปฐมบทแห่งการกล่าวถึงอวตารของปิปปลาทะ จงสดับมหิมาแห่งพระศัมภูด้วยความเคารพยิ่ง

Word by Word

• इति: thus
• इति: सम्बन्ध (Discourse marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: इत्यादि-प्रयोगे वाक्यसमाप्तिसूचक-अव्यय (quotative/particle)

• ते: to you/your
• ते: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive) एकवचन (Singular)

• कथितम्: told/related
• कथितम्: क्रिया-विशेष (Predicative/statement)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कथ् (धातु) + क्त (प्रत्यय)
• Form: कृदन्त (past passive participle/क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; कर्मणि-भावः (said/told)

• तात: O dear one
• तात: सम्बोधन (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tāta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन

• प्रसङ्गात्: from the occasion/context
• प्रसङ्गात्: अपादान (Apādāna)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prasaṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन

• चरि: proceed/continue
• चरि: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: car (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद; वैदिक/छान्दस-रूप (चर = go on/continue)

• तन्तु: O dear one (lit. thread; used as address per text)
• तन्तु: सम्बोधन (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tantu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: कर्म (Karma)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन

• पिप्पलादावतारम्भे: at the beginning of Pippalāda’s incarnation
• पिप्पलादावतारम्भे: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pippalāda + avatāra + āmbha? (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; समासः—पिप्पलाद-अवतार-आरम्भ (at the beginning of Pippalāda’s incarnation)

• शृणु: listen
• शृणु: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• शम्भोः: of Śambhu (Śiva)
• शम्भोः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śambhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• महादरात्: out of great reverence
• महादरात्: हेतु (Cause/Reason)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + ādara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; महा-आदर = great respect

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: This is a narrative hinge: the text transitions from the incidental Vṛtra episode to the commencement of Pippalāda’s avatāra account, preparing the listener for Śambhu’s līlā and teaching.

Significance: Śravaṇa (reverent listening) to Śiva-kathā is itself framed as a means of puṇya and inner purification, disposing the paśu toward Śiva’s anugraha.

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Pippalada

FAQs

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

The verse highlights śravaṇa (reverent listening) as a direct spiritual discipline: approaching Śiva-kathā with mahā-ādara purifies the mind and turns the seeker toward Pati (Śiva), the liberating Lord.

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

By inviting the listener into Śambhu’s līlā and avatāra-narration, it emphasizes Saguna Śiva—Śiva known through names, forms, and compassionate acts—supporting devotion that naturally culminates in Linga-centered worship and inner contemplation.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is disciplined śravaṇa: listen to Śiva Purāṇa with reverence, ideally preceded by simple purity observances (e.g., mental calm, respectful posture, and remembrance of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”).