Shloka 51

मेना-शिवदर्शन-प्रस्थानम् | Menā’s Quest to Behold Śiva

Departure for Śiva’s Darśana

Devanagari script

वात्यारूपधराः केचित्पताकामर्मरस्वना । वक्रतुंडास्तत्र केचिद्विरूपाश्चापरे तथा

Transliteration

vātyārūpadharāḥ kecitpatākāmarmarasvanā | vakratuṃḍāstatra kecidvirūpāścāpare tathā

Translation

Einige nahmen die Gestalt wirbelnden Windes an; andere trugen Banner und ließen ein raschelndes, murmelndes Geräusch erklingen. Dort waren auch manche mit krummen Schnäbeln, und andere ebenso von entstellter Erscheinung.

Word by Word

• वात्या-रूप-धराः: those having the form of a whirlwind
• वात्या-रूप-धराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वात्या (प्रातिपदिक) + रूप (प्रातिपदिक) + धर (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः—वात्यारूपं धरन्ति ये (those bearing the form of a whirlwind)

• केचित्: some
• केचित्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; अनिश्चितवाचक (some)

• पताका-मर्मर-स्वनाः: having the rustling sound of banners
• पताका-मर्मर-स्वनाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पताका (प्रातिपदिक) + मर्मर (प्रातिपदिक) + स्वन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः—पताकानां मर्मरः स्वनः येषाम् (whose sound is the rustling of banners)

• वक्र-तुंडाः: crooked-faced/beaked ones
• वक्र-तुंडाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वक्र (प्रातिपदिक) + तुण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः—वक्रं तुण्डं येषाम् (crooked-beaked/faced)

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (locative adverb: there)

• केचित्: some
• केचित्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; अनिश्चितवाचक (some)

• विरूपाः: deformed/ugly
• विरूपाः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विरूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (misshapen/ugly)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (and)

• अपरे: others
• अपरे: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अपर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन (Masculine, Nominative, Plural); ‘others’

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकार/समुच्चयार्थक (thus/likewise)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Rudra

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati

FAQs

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

The verse depicts formidable, unsettling forms that arise around Shiva’s sphere, reminding the seeker that fear and ugliness are appearances within Prakṛti; steadfast devotion to Pati (Śiva) steadies the mind and leads beyond such disturbances toward grace and liberation.

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

Such descriptions highlight why devotees take refuge in Saguna Śiva—worship of the Liṅga and Shiva’s auspicious form establishes inner protection and composure, transforming frightening perceptions into occasions for surrender to Shiva’s lordship.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to stabilize attention with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and maintain Śiva-marked discipline such as Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa, especially when the mind is agitated by fear or turbulent impressions.