Shloka 23

तारकपीडितदेवशरणागतिḥ — The Devas Seek Refuge from Tāraka

Devanagari script

युष्माकं चाखिलं कार्यं कर्तुं योग्यो हि शंकरः । किन्तु स्वयं न शक्तो हि प्रतिकर्तुं प्रचो दितः

Transliteration

yuṣmākaṃ cākhilaṃ kāryaṃ kartuṃ yogyo hi śaṃkaraḥ | kintu svayaṃ na śakto hi pratikartuṃ praco ditaḥ

Translation

Śaṅkara (Śiva) ist wahrlich fähig, all eure Aufgaben zu vollbringen; doch selbst wenn man Ihn drängt, handelt Er nicht aus eigenem Antrieb, um Vergeltung zu üben.

Word by Word

• युष्माकम्: of you (all)
• युष्माकम्: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन (Plural); सर्वनाम-प्रयोग (pronoun)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• अखिलम्: entire, all
• अखिलम्: कर्म (कर्मपद-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अखिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण (qualifier)

• कार्यम्: task, work
• कार्यम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन (Singular)

• कर्तुम्: to do
• कर्तुम्: प्रयोजन (purpose)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु) + तुमुन् (कृत्)
• Form: तुमुनन्त (infinitive), क्रियार्थक (purpose infinitive)

• योग्यः: fit, capable
• योग्यः: कर्तृ-विशेषण (predicate of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: योग्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन (Singular); विधेय-विशेषण (predicative adjective)

• हि: indeed, for
• हि: सम्बोधन-निपात (discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), हेत्वर्थ/निश्चयार्थ (for indeed/for)

• शंकरः: Śaṅkara (Śiva)
• शंकरः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शंकर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन (Singular)

• किन्तु: but
• किन्तु: वाक्य-सम्बन्ध (clausal connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: किन्तु (अव्यय)
• Form: व्यतिरेक-अव्यय (adversative conjunction)

• स्वयम्: himself
• स्वयम्: क्रियाविशेषण (adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वयम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb), आत्मार्थ (oneself)

• न: not
• न: निषेध (negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात (negation particle)

• शक्तः: able
• शक्तः: कर्तृ-विशेषण (predicate of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन (Singular); विधेय-विशेषण

• हि: indeed
• हि: सम्बोधन-निपात (discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), बलार्थ (emphasis)

• प्रतिकर्तुम्: to counteract, to oppose
• प्रतिकर्तुम्: प्रयोजन (purpose)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति + कृ (धातु) + तुमुन् (कृत्)
• Form: तुमुनन्त (infinitive), उपसर्गयुक्त (with prefix प्रति)

• प्रचोदितः: urged, prompted
• प्रचोदितः: कर्तृ-विशेषण (predicate/qualifier of Śaṅkara)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र + चुद् (धातु) + क्त (कृत्)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन (Singular)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Purāṇic dialogue in context)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It highlights Śiva’s supreme capacity (śakti) to accomplish all ends, while also emphasizing His mastery over impulse—He does not act from reactive anger. In Shaiva understanding, this points to divine sovereignty guided by dharma and compassion rather than ego-driven retaliation.

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

Saguna Śiva as Śaṅkara is worshipped as both all-powerful and perfectly self-controlled. Linga-worship trains the devotee to approach that same steadiness—seeking Śiva’s help for rightful aims while abandoning reactive passions and vindictiveness.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” to cool reactivity and cultivate forbearance; optionally apply Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as a reminder of detachment and restraint before responding to provocation.