Shloka 45

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

Devanagari script

एवमुक्त्वा तु तं देवम् उपमन्युरभीतवत् शक्रं चक्रे मतिं हन्तुम् अथर्वास्त्रेण मन्त्रवित्

Transliteration

evamuktvā tu taṃ devam upamanyurabhītavat śakraṃ cakre matiṃ hantum atharvāstreṇa mantravit

Translation

Nachdem er so zu jenem Gott gesprochen hatte, fasste Upamanyu—furchtlos und kundig der Mantras—den Entschluss, Śakras Vorhaben mit der Atharvāstra, der atharvanischen Waffe, zu zerschlagen.

Word by Word

• एवम् (evam): thus

• उक्त्वा (uktvā): having spoken

• तु (tu): then/indeed

• तम् (tam): that

• देवम् (devam): god/deity

• उपमन्युः (upamanyuḥ): Upamanyu (the sage)

• अभीतवत् (abhītavat): fearlessly, without dread

• शक्रम् (śakram): Śakra/Indra

• चक्रे (cakre): made, formed, resolved

• मतिम् (matim): intention, resolve, mental purpose

• हन्तुम् (hantum): to slay, to destroy

• अथर्वास्त्रेण (atharvāstreṇa): with the Atharva-weapon (mantra-based missile)

• मन्त्रवित् (mantravit): knower of mantras, mantra-expert.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages; internal episode about Upamanyu and Indra)

Characters & Entities

• Upamanyu
• Shakra (Indra)

FAQs

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

It highlights that steadfast devotion to Pati (Shiva) grants spiritual fearlessness and mantra-siddhi, enabling a devotee like Upamanyu to counter even Indra’s hostile intent—implying that Shiva-bhakti and disciplined practice protect the worshipper beyond worldly authority.

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

Though Shiva is not named directly, the narrative frames a Shaiva devotee’s inner sovereignty: the Pashu (individual soul) aligned to Pati becomes unshaken and potent, indicating that Shiva-tattva empowers clarity, restraint, and the capacity to dissolve obstructive forces (pāśa) manifesting as pride or aggression.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Mantra-vidyā rooted in Atharvan tradition (atharvāstra) is emphasized—suggesting disciplined japa, mantra-siddhi, and the Pāśupata orientation where yogic steadiness and devotion transform mantra into effective spiritual force.