Shloka 2

नारीसन्देहभञ्जक-शम्भ्ववतारकथा

The Account of Śambhu’s Incarnation that Dispels Doubts Concerning Women

Devanagari script

आसीत्सत्यरथो नाम्ना विदर्भविषये नृपः । धर्म्मात्मा सत्यशीलश्च महाशैवजनप्रियः

Transliteration

āsītsatyaratho nāmnā vidarbhaviṣaye nṛpaḥ | dharmmātmā satyaśīlaśca mahāśaivajanapriyaḥ

Translation

في أرضِ فيداربها كان ملكٌ يُدعى ساتياراثا؛ تقيَّ النفس، ثابتًا على الصدق، محبوبًا لدى كبار عُبّاد شِيفا.

Word by Word

• āsīt: there was
• āsīt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: as (धातु)
• Form: Laṅ (लङ्, Imperfect), 3rd person, Singular; parasmaipada

• satya-rathaḥ: Satyaratha
• satya-rathaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: satya (प्रातिपदिक) + ratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; proper name

• nāmnā: by name
• nāmnā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nāman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular; idiom: 'by name'

• vidarbha-viṣaye: in Vidarbha country
• vidarbha-viṣaye: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidarbha (प्रातिपदिक) + viṣaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular; 'in the region of Vidarbha'

• nṛpaḥ: king
• nṛpaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• dharma-ātmā: righteous-souled
• dharma-ātmā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; bahuvrīhi: 'whose nature/soul is righteous'

• satya-śīlaḥ: truthful in conduct
• satya-śīlaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: satya (प्रातिपदिक) + śīla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; 'of truthful conduct'

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चय)

• mahā-śaiva-jana-priyaḥ: beloved of great Śaiva people
• mahā-śaiva-jana-priyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + śaiva (प्रातिपदिक) + jana (प्रातिपदिक) + priya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; multi-member tatpuruṣa: 'dear to the people (jana) who are great Śaivas (mahā-śaiva)'

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga passage; it introduces King Satyaratha of Vidarbha as a dhārmic ruler devoted to Śiva, setting the narrative ground for later Śiva-anugraha through worldly upheaval.

Significance: Models the Śaiva Siddhānta ethic that devotion (bhakti) and dharma in kingship purify the paśu and prepare receptivity for Śiva’s grace (anugraha).

Characters & Entities

• Satyaratha
• Shiva
• Vidarbha

FAQs

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

It establishes the ideal Shaiva ruler: one rooted in dharma and satya, whose life naturally aligns with devotion to Pati (Lord Shiva), making him worthy to receive Shiva’s grace in the unfolding narrative.

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

By praising a king as “beloved of the great Shaivas,” the text signals a culture of Saguna Shiva worship—living devotion expressed through community reverence, temple/linga-centered piety, and honoring Shiva’s devotees.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is to cultivate satya and dharma as the foundation of Shaiva sadhana, supported by daily Shiva-bhakti such as japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and respectful service to Shiva’s devotees.