Shloka 13

Śiva–Arjuna Yuddha and the Subjugation of Pride (Śiva-parīkṣā)

Devanagari script

धृत्वा पादौ तदा तस्य भ्रामयामास सोर्जुनः । विजहास महादेवो भक्तवत्सल ऊतिकृत्

Transliteration

dhṛtvā pādau tadā tasya bhrāmayāmāsa sorjunaḥ | vijahāsa mahādevo bhaktavatsala ūtikṛt

Translation

Da ergriff Arjuna Seine Füße und begann, Ihn herumzuwirbeln. Mahādeva—den Bhaktas zugetan und ihr Wohltäter—lächelte und lachte.

Word by Word

• धृत्वा: having held
• धृत्वा: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: धृ (धातु) + क्त्वा (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय, ‘having held’

• पादौ: (two) feet
• पादौ: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, द्विवचन; accusative dual

• तदा: then
• तदा: कालाधिकरण (Temporal)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, कालवाचक (adverb of time)

• तस्य: of him
• तस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; genitive ‘of him’

• भ्रामयामास: made (him) whirl
• भ्रामयामास: क्रिया (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भ्रम् (धातु) + णिच् (causative)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; णिजन्त (causative) ‘caused to whirl’

• सः: he
• सः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अर्जुनः: Arjuna
• अर्जुनः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्जुन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; apposition to सः

• विजहास: laughed
• विजहास: क्रिया (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-हस् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; parasmaipada

• महादेवः: Mahādeva
• महादेवः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (अव्यय/उपसर्गवत्) + देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारयसमास (‘great’ + ‘god’), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• भक्तवत्सलः: affectionate to devotees
• भक्तवत्सलः: कर्ता-विशेषण (Agent qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भक्त (प्रातिपदिक) + वत्सल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (उपपद/षष्ठीभाव: ‘towards devotees’), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; epithet

• ऊतिकृत्: helper / benefactor
• ऊतिकृत्: कर्ता-विशेषण (Agent qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ऊति (प्रातिपदिक) + कृ (धातु) → कृत् (कृदन्त)
• Form: उपपद-तत्पुरुष (ऊतिं करोति), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘one who renders help’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahadeva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Arjuna

FAQs

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

It highlights that when a devotee approaches Shiva with intense, personal devotion and surrender, Mahadeva responds not with anger but with gracious delight—showing the nearness of Saguna Shiva to the bhakta and the primacy of divine grace.

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

Though Linga worship emphasizes Shiva’s all-pervading reality, this verse presents Saguna Shiva’s accessible, relational aspect—Bhaktavatsala—affirming that both symbol (Linga) and personal Lord lead the devotee toward the same Supreme Pati through devotion.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is bhakti-filled surrender at Shiva’s feet: during japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), meditate on Mahadeva as Bhaktavatsala and offer inner prostration (mānasa-namaskāra), supported by simple Shaiva observances like bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa if one follows them.