Shloka 38

Upamanyu’s Tapas, Shiva’s Indra-Form Test, and the Bestowal of Kshiroda and Gaṇapatya

Devanagari script

मन्ये शक्रस्य रूपेण नूनम् अत्रागतः स्वयम् कर्तुं दैत्याधमः कश्चिद् धर्मविघ्नं च नान्यथा

Transliteration

manye śakrasya rūpeṇa nūnam atrāgataḥ svayam kartuṃ daityādhamaḥ kaścid dharmavighnaṃ ca nānyathā

Translation

Ich denke, dass ein niederträchtiger Daitya sicherlich in der Gestalt von Śakra (Indra) hierher gekommen ist, aus eigenem Antrieb, nur um ein Hindernis für den Dharma zu schaffen, und aus keinem anderen Grund.

Word by Word

• manye: I think/I consider

• śakrasya: of Śakra (Indra)

• rūpeṇa: in the form/guise

• nūnam: surely/indeed

• atra: here

• āgataḥ: has come

• svayam: by himself/of his own accord

• kartuṃ: to do/to cause

• daitya-adhamaḥ: the lowest among Daityas/a base demon

• kaścit: someone/any

• dharma-vighnam: obstruction/hindrance to dharma

• ca: and

• na anyathā: not otherwise/for no other reason

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating an internal suspicion voiced by a character within the episode)

Characters & Entities

• Shakra (Indra)
• Daitya
• Dharma

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It highlights the need for discernment and purity in dharmic practice: even a sacred-looking form can be a deception meant to obstruct worship and vows, so the devotee should rely on right conduct and Śiva’s grace to remove vighnas.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Indirectly, it frames dharma as something protected by the higher order overseen by Pati (Śiva): demonic forces can mimic appearances, but Shiva-tattva is the unwavering ground of truth that ultimately exposes and dissolves such delusion.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The implied practice is vighna-nivāraṇa through steadiness in vrata and viveka (discriminative awareness), supported by Śaiva devotion—maintaining dharma despite distractions, temptations, or deceptive omens.