Shloka 33

Devanagari script

तीर्थदक्षिणतः शस्ते मठे मंत्रालये बुधः । तत्र देवालये वापि गृहे वा नियतस्थले

Transliteration

tīrthadakṣiṇataḥ śaste maṭhe maṃtrālaye budhaḥ | tatra devālaye vāpi gṛhe vā niyatasthale

Translation

智者宣说：于圣地渡口（tīrtha）之南侧、于僧院（maṭha）、或于专设持咒之堂中修行，皆为善妙可赞。于彼处——无论在神庙或在家中——都应在固定而守戒的地点行持。

Word by Word

• तीर्थ-दक्षिणतः: to the south of the sacred ford/place
• तीर्थ-दक्षिणतः: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative of place)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + दक्षिणतः (अव्यय/तसिल्)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; 'तीर्थस्य दक्षिणतः' (to the south of the tīrtha)

• शस्ते: in an approved/excellent (place)
• शस्ते: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शस्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; 'शस्ते' = प्रशस्ते (in a commendable/approved place)

• मठे: in a monastery
• मठे: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• मन्त्र-आलये: in a shrine/house of mantra
• मन्त्र-आलये: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + आलय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष; पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; 'मन्त्राणाम् आलयः' (place of mantras)

• बुधः: the wise person
• बुधः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'बुध' = wise person

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (locative adverb: there)

• देव-आलये: in a temple
• देव-आलये: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक) + आलय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष; पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; 'देवानाम् आलयः'

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

• अपि: also
• अपि: सम्बन्ध (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/सम्भावनार्थक-अव्यय (also/even)

• गृहे: in a house
• गृहे: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गृह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

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

• नियत-स्थले: in a fixed/appointed place
• नियत-स्थले: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नियत (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; 'नियतं स्थलम्' (fixed/appointed place)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Vidyeshvara/Viśveśvara teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Specifies auspicious spatial discipline for mantra-sādhana; choosing a niyata-sthala reduces distraction (a practical counter to tirodhāna/obscuration) and supports steadiness in worship.

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

FAQs

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

It emphasizes niyama (disciplined regularity): mantra-sadhana becomes potent when done in a sanctified and consistent place, aligning the aspirant’s mind toward Shiva (Pati) and loosening the bonds (pāśa) through steady practice.

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

By recommending temples and dedicated worship spaces, it supports Saguna upasana—approaching Shiva through the Linga and consecrated settings—while the fixed seat for japa stabilizes the mind for deeper inward worship.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Establish a regular japa-sthāna (fixed seat) in a temple, monastery, mantra-hall, or at home, and perform daily mantra repetition—especially the Panchakshara—keeping place, posture, and routine steady.