Shiva Purana — Vidyesvara Samhita, Shloka 15

भस्म–रुद्राक्ष–शिवनाममाहात्म्य

The Greatness of Bhasma, Rudrākṣa, and the Name of Śiva

Devanagari script

शरीरे च त्रयं यस्य तत्फलं चैकतः स्थितम् । एकतो वेणिकायाश्च स्नानजंतुफलं बुधैः

Transliteration

śarīre ca trayaṃ yasya tatphalaṃ caikataḥ sthitam | ekato veṇikāyāśca snānajaṃtuphalaṃ budhaiḥ

Translation

Các bậc hiền trí tuyên rằng: người mang ba dấu hiệu Shaiva trên thân thì công đức của chúng được gom tụ thành một quả duy nhất, cô đọng; cũng vậy, ngay cả công đức do tắm gội và các nghi thức thanh tịnh cũng được nói là hàm chứa trong một kết quả hợp nhất ấy.

Word by Word

• śarīre: in the body
• śarīre: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śarīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/particle (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• trayam: a triad; threefold set
• trayam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: traya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative/Accusative (1st/2nd प्रथमा/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• yasya: of whom; whose
• yasya: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter (पुं/नपुं), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• tat-phalam: its fruit/result
• tat-phalam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tat (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + phala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative/Accusative (1st/2nd प्रथमा/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी/सम्बन्ध: 'tasya phalam')

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/particle (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• ekataḥ: in one place; together
• ekataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ekataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण अव्यय): 'in one place/at one side/together'

• sthitam: is situated/placed
• sthitam: Kriyā (क्रिया/स्थितिः)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √sthā (स्था धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त-कृदन्त), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative/Accusative Singular (प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन); agrees with 'tat-phalam'

• ekataḥ: on one side; together
• ekataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ekataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण अव्यय): 'on one side/in one place'

• veṇikāyāḥ: of the braid (of hair)
• veṇikāyāḥ: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: veṇikā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/particle (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• snāna-jantu-phalam: the fruit of bathing (removing impurities)
• snāna-jantu-phalam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: snāna (प्रातिपदिक) + jantu (प्रातिपदिक) + phala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative/Accusative (1st/2nd प्रथमा/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); बहुपद-तत्पुरुष-समास: 'snānena jantuḥ (pāpa/kleśa) yasya' / 'snānasya jantu-phalam' (intended: fruit of bathing, destroying impurities)

• budhaiḥ: by the wise
• budhaiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: budha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Īśāna

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that Shaiva identity-markers—especially the threefold sacred sign—are not mere symbolism; when worn with devotion to Pati (Shiva), they consolidate spiritual merit and orient the practitioner toward purity and liberation.

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

In Linga-worship, outer observances like Tripuṇḍra/Bhasma function as visible commitments to Saguna Shiva’s path, supporting steady bhakti and reverence while pointing the mind to Shiva as the inner Lord beyond form.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Maintain Shaiva marks (especially the threefold sign/Tripuṇḍra) and practice purity disciplines such as snāna; do them as offerings to Shiva, ideally accompanied by remembrance of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya).