Shloka 45

देवर्षि-प्रश्नः तथा असुर-वध-हेतुनिवेदनम् | The Devas’ Petition and the Cause for Slaying Asuras

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मोवाच । इति तस्य वचश्श्रुत्वाहं स विष्णुर्हरस्य च । सस्मितं मोदितमनोऽवोचं चेति विनम्रकः

Transliteration

brahmovāca | iti tasya vacaśśrutvāhaṃ sa viṣṇurharasya ca | sasmitaṃ moditamano'vocaṃ ceti vinamrakaḥ

Translation

Brahmā said: “Having thus heard his words, I—together with Viṣṇu, in the presence of Hara (Śiva)—with a gentle smile and a heart made glad, spoke in a humble manner.”

Word by Word

• brahmā: Brahmā
• brahmā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (लिट्, Perfect), Prathama-puruṣa (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• iti: thus
• iti: Vākyārtha-sūcaka (वाक्यार्थसूचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), quotative particle (इत्यादि-वाचक)

• tasya: of him/of that
• tasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (सर्वनाम), Masculine/Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• vacaḥ: speech/words
• vacaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• śrutvā: having heard
• śrutvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śru (धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा, ल्यप्), indeclinable (अव्ययभाव)

• aham: I
• aham: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (सर्वनाम), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• saḥ: that (I)
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (सर्वनाम), Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); appositional with aham

• viṣṇuḥ: Viṣṇu
• viṣṇuḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); apposition

• harasya: of Hara (Śiva)
• harasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक)

• sasmitaṃ: smilingly/with a smile
• sasmitaṃ: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa + smita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); used adverbially qualifying avocam (with a smile)

• modita-manaḥ: with a delighted mind
• modita-manaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: modita (from mud धातु) + manas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग) compound used as adjective; Nominative/Accusative singular form manaḥ; karmadhāraya: moditaṃ manaḥ yasya (or modita-manas)

• avocam: I spoke
• avocam: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Luṅ (लुङ्, Aorist), Uttama-puruṣa (उत्तमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक)

• iti: thus
• iti: Vākyārtha-sūcaka (वाक्यार्थसूचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), quotative/closing particle

• vinamrakaḥ: humble/bowing
• vinamrakaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vinamra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); adjective qualifying aham (speaker)

Speaker

Brahma

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Vishnu
• Shiva
• Hara

FAQs

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

The verse highlights vinaya (humility) as a key Shaiva virtue: even Brahmā and Viṣṇu respond with softened ego and gladness when addressing Hara, implying that grace arises when the soul approaches Śiva with reverent humility.

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

It frames the proper devotional posture before Saguna Śiva—approaching the Lord with a composed smile, joy, and humility—qualities that underpin Linga-worship where inner surrender (bhāva) is as essential as outer offerings.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Adopt a humble bhāva before Śiva: begin japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") with mental reverence, and, if performing pūjā, offer water/bilva with a quiet, ego-free mind rather than seeking display or superiority.