Shloka 17

शिवस्यार्द्धनारीनरावतारवर्णनम्

Description of Shiva’s Ardhanārī-nara Manifestation

Devanagari script

मिथुनप्रभवामेव कृत्वा सृष्टिमतः परम् । संवर्द्धयितुमिच्छामि सर्वा एव मम प्रजाः

Transliteration

mithunaprabhavāmeva kṛtvā sṛṣṭimataḥ param | saṃvarddhayitumicchāmi sarvā eva mama prajāḥ

Translation

«وبعد أن جعلتُ الخلقَ الأسمى يجري بالتوالد الزوجي (ذكرًا وأنثى)، فإني أرغب الآن أن أرعى جميع هؤلاء الكائنات وأن أُنمّيهم، فهم ذريّتي.»

Word by Word

• mithuna-prabhavām: (creation) arising from a pair/couple
• mithuna-prabhavām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mithuna (प्रातिपदिक) + prabhavā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (mithunaprabhavā = mithunāt prabhavā), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• eva: indeed, only
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय (particle of emphasis/limitation)

• kṛtvā: having made/done
• kṛtvā: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु) + ktvā (क्त्वा)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund), पूर्वकाल (having done)

• sṛṣṭim: creation
• sṛṣṭim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sṛṣṭi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• ataḥ: therefore / from this
• ataḥ: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atas (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle/adverb); अपादानार्थे/हेतौ (from this/therefore)

• param: supreme, higher
• param: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण of sṛṣṭim (as 'higher/greater')

• saṃvarddhayitum: to increase, to nurture
• saṃvarddhayitum: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: saṃ-√vṛdh (धातु) + tumun (तुमुन्)
• Form: तुमुनन्त (infinitive), प्रयोजनार्थ (purpose)

• icchāmi: I wish
• icchāmi: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √iṣ (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद, उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन

• sarvāḥ: all
• sarvāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण of prajāḥ

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय (emphasis)

• mama: my
• mama: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), एकवचन

• prajāḥ: creatures, subjects, progeny
• prajāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prajā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

Speaker

Brahma

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadyojāta

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: creative

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: institution of mithuna-sṛṣṭi (paired generation) as the mechanism for proliferation in cyclic creation

Characters & Entities

• Brahma

FAQs

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

It highlights that worldly multiplication and prosperity occur through divinely ordered duality, while in Shaiva Siddhanta the entire created expansion ultimately remains dependent on the supreme Lord (Pati) who governs and uplifts the souls (pashu).

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

Creation and its increase belong to the realm of Saguna governance—where the Lord is worshipped as the immanent ruler of cosmic functions. Linga-worship centers the devotee on Shiva as the substratum beyond changing creation, even while honoring his role as its sustainer.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to perform daily Shiva-smaraṇa with the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and offer water to the Linga, dedicating household duties—nourishing and supporting life—to Shiva as sacred service.