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Shloka 7

तारकासुर-पूर्ववृत्त-प्रश्नः (Questions on Tārakāsura and Śivā’s tapas) / “Inquiry into Tārakāsura’s origin and Śivā–Śiva narrative”

प्रथमं तारकस्यैव भवं संशृणु नारद । यद्वधार्थं महा यत्नः कृतो दैवैश्शिवाश्रयैः

prathamaṃ tārakasyaiva bhavaṃ saṃśṛṇu nārada | yadvadhārthaṃ mahā yatnaḥ kṛto daivaiśśivāśrayaiḥ

First, O Nārada, listen to the very origin and rise of Tāraka; for the sake of his destruction, the gods—taking refuge in Śiva—undertook a great effort.

प्रथमम्firstly
प्रथमम्:
Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootप्रथम (प्रातिपदिक)
Formअव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverb): ‘at first/firstly’
तारकस्यof Tāraka
तारकस्य:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
TypeNoun
Rootतारक (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन
एवindeed/just
एव:
Nipata (निपात)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootएव (अव्यय)
Formनिपात (particle/emphasis)
भवम्origin/birth; account
भवम्:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootभव (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन
संशृणुlisten well
संशृणु:
Kriya (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootश्रु (धातु)
Formलोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद; उपसर्गः ‘सम्’
नारदO Nārada
नारद:
Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
TypeNoun
Rootनारद (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन
यत्which
यत्:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootयद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
Formसर्वनाम, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक (relative)
वधार्थम्for the purpose of slaying
वधार्थम्:
Prayojana (प्रयोजन/Purpose)
TypeNoun
Rootवध + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘वधस्य अर्थः/प्रयोजनम्’
महान्great
महान्:
Visheshana (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootमहत् (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन
यत्नःeffort
यत्नः:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootयत्न (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन
कृतःwas made
कृतः:
Kriya (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootकृ (धातु)
Formकृदन्त (PPP/क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोगार्थक (passive sense): ‘was done/made’
दैवैःby the gods
दैवैः:
Karana (करण/Instrument, agent in passive)
TypeNoun
Rootदैव (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन (Plural)
शिवाश्रयैःhaving Śiva as refuge
शिवाश्रयैः:
Visheshana (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootशिव + आश्रय (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘शिवम् आश्रयः येषाम्’ (Shiva as refuge)

Brahmā (narrating to Nārada within the Rudrasaṃhitā narrative frame)

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

N
Narada
T
Taraka
S
Shiva
D
Devas

FAQs

It highlights śaraṇāgati—when cosmic disorder arises, even the gods rely on Śiva as the supreme refuge (Pati) whose grace restores dharma.

The verse emphasizes approaching Śiva as the accessible Lord who protects devotees; in practice this aligns with Saguna worship—seeking Śiva’s aid through devotion, pūjā, and remembrance of the Linga as His compassionate presence.

A practical takeaway is śivāśraya through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a devotional intent for protection and removal of obstacles, supported by simple Śiva-pūjā (bilva leaves, bhasma, and prayer).