Shloka 4

हिमाचलविवाहवर्णनम् — Description of Himācala’s

context for) Marriage / The Himālaya-Marriage Narrative (Chapter Opening

Devanagari script

यदा दाक्षायणी देवी हरेण सहिता मुदा । हिमाचले सुचिक्रीडे लीलया परमेश्वरी

Transliteration

yadā dākṣāyaṇī devī hareṇa sahitā mudā | himācale sucikrīḍe līlayā parameśvarī

Translation

When the Goddess Dākṣāyaṇī, the Supreme Lady, was joyfully united with Hara (Lord Śiva), she sported upon Himācala (the Himālaya) in pure and auspicious play, in divine līlā.

Word by Word

• यदा: when
• यदा: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, कालवाचक सम्बन्धबोधक (temporal conjunction: when)

• दाक्षायणी: Dākṣāyaṇī (Satī)
• दाक्षायणी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दाक्षायणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचन

• देवी: the goddess
• देवी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचन; दाक्षायणी इत्यस्य अप्पोजिशन (apposition)

• हरेण: with Hara (Śiva)
• हरेण: Sahakāraka (सह/तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति (Instrumental/सह), एकवचन

• सहिता: accompanied
• सहिता: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सहित (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from सह + इ/धा sense)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण देवी-विशेषण (‘accompanied’)

• मुदा: with joy
• मुदा: Karaṇa (करण/तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुद्/मुदा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति (Instrumental/करण), एकवचन; भाववाचक—‘आनन्देन’ (with joy)

• हिमाचले: on/in Himācala (the Himalaya)
• हिमाचले: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/सप्तमी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हिमाचल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी विभक्ति (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• सुचि: well/beautifully
• सुचि: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सुचि (अव्यय/उपसर्गसदृश)
• Form: अव्यय, उपसर्गसदृश पूर्वपद (intensifier ‘well/beautifully’)—क्रियाविशेषणभावे

• क्रीडे: played/sported
• क्रीडे: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: क्रीड् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/परोक्सभूत), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular)

• लीलया: as playfully / by sport
• लीलया: Karaṇa (करण/तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लीला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति (Instrumental/करण), एकवचन

• परमेश्वरी: the Supreme Goddess
• परमेश्वरी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश्वरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारयसमास (‘supreme goddess’), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचन; देवी-पर्याय

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Himācala (Himalaya) is the mythic stage for Śiva–Śakti’s sportive union; while Himalayan tīrthas are many, this verse does not specify a Jyotirliṅga or a named shrine.

Significance: Contemplation of Śiva–Śakti līlā in the Himalayas supports bhakti and dhyāna; the mountain symbolizes steadiness (dhairya) and tapas-bhūmi.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Satī

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati
• Sati
• Daksha
• Himavan (Himachala)

FAQs

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

It highlights the auspicious union of Pati (Śiva) and Śakti (the Devī) as a sacred līlā, indicating that the divine couple’s presence sanctifies the Himalaya and that devotion matures through remembrance of their harmonious, joy-filled divine life.

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

By naming Hara with the Devī, the verse points to Saguna worship—Śiva known through gracious form and relationship. In Śaiva Siddhānta, such līlā supports bhakti that later ripens toward deeper realization of Śiva beyond form, while still honoring the Linga as the stable, worshipful sign of His presence.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A simple takeaway is to practice devotional smaraṇa (remembrance) of Śiva-Śakti together while reciting the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” cultivating inner purity (śuci) and joy (mudā) as a preparation for deeper meditation.