Shloka 4

Devanagari script

तत्रागतं महेशानं शंकरं गिरिजावरम् । ददर्श प्रीतितो मेना सेवितं सकलैस्सुरैः

Transliteration

tatrāgataṃ maheśānaṃ śaṃkaraṃ girijāvaram | dadarśa prītito menā sevitaṃ sakalaissuraiḥ

Translation

There, Menā beheld Mahēśāna—Śaṅkara, the supreme bridegroom of Girijā—arrived in that place, joyfully seeing Him attended and honored by all the gods.

Word by Word

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक अव्यय (adverb of place)

• āgatam: having come/arrived
• āgatam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√gam (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त—क्त (past participle), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण यावत् 'maheśānam/śaṃkaram'

• maheśānam: Maheśāna
• maheśānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maheśāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; नाम (Śiva)

• śaṃkaram: Śaṅkara
• śaṃkaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaṃkara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; नाम (Śiva)

• girijā-varam: the bridegroom of Girijā
• girijā-varam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: girijā (प्रातिपदिक) + vara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष समास (षष्ठी: 'girijāyāḥ varaḥ'), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; उपाधि (epithet) of Śiva

• dadarśa: saw
• dadarśa: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dṛś (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• prītitaḥ: joyfully
• prītitaḥ: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: prīti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb): 'from joy/with delight'

• menā: Menā
• menā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: menā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम (Menā)

• sevitam: served/attended
• sevitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √sev (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त—क्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण यावत् 'śaṃkaram'

• sakalaiḥ: by all
• sakalaiḥ: Karaṇa-anvaya (करण-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sakala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण यावत् 'suraiḥ'

• suraiḥ: by the gods
• suraiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahadeva

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Parvati

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati
• Mena
• Devas

FAQs

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

It presents Śiva as Mahēśāna, the supreme Pati (Lord), whose presence naturally draws reverence even from the devas—teaching that true auspiciousness (śaṅkara-tva) is realized through humble devotion and recognition of His lordship.

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

The verse emphasizes Saguna Śiva—Śaṅkara personally present and honored—supporting the Purāṇic principle that devotees approach the transcendent Nirguṇa through accessible forms (murti/linga) and loving service (sevā).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is sevā-bhāva: worship with reverence—mentally offering attendance to Śiva while repeating the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and honoring Him as Mahēśāna with simple upacāras such as vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and mantra-japa.