Shloka 18

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

Devanagari script

चिराद्वा ह्यचिराद्वापि क्षीरोदं साधयाम्यहम् सूत उवाच तां प्रणम्यैवमुक्त्वा स तपः कर्तुं प्रचक्रमे

Transliteration

cirādvā hyacirādvāpi kṣīrodaṃ sādhayāmyaham sūta uvāca tāṃ praṇamyaivamuktvā sa tapaḥ kartuṃ pracakrame

Translation

“Whether after a long time or swiftly, I shall accomplish Kṣīroda, the Ocean of Milk.” Sūta said: Having bowed to her and spoken thus, he then set about performing tapas, sacred austerity.

Word by Word

• cirāt: after a long time

• vā: or

• hi: indeed

• acirāt: quickly/soon

• vā api: or even

• kṣīrodam: the Ocean of Milk (Kṣīra-samudra)

• sādhayāmi: I will accomplish/attain

• aham: I

• sūta uvāca: Sūta said

• tām: to her/that (female person addressed)

• praṇamya: having bowed

• evam: thus

• uktvā: having said

• saḥ: he

• tapaḥ: austerity, disciplined ascetic practice

• kartum: to do/perform

• pracakrame: began/undertook.

Speaker

Suta (narrator); the first sentence is spoken by an unnamed male character addressing a female figure (tām).

Characters & Entities

• Suta
• Kshiroda (Ocean of Milk)

FAQs

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

It highlights that attainment of sacred goals is grounded in tapas—disciplined sadhana—which in Shaiva practice supports inner purification before approaching Linga-upasana and its fruits.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Shaiva Siddhanta principle that the pashu (individual) must engage in purifying discipline to loosen pasha (bondage), while ultimate fruition depends on the grace-oriented order upheld by Pati (Shiva).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Tapas as a yogic vow-based discipline—steadfast austerity undertaken with reverence (praṇāma) and resolve—aligned with the ascetic strand of Pashupata-oriented practice.