Shloka 17

कामप्रादुर्भावः — The Manifestation/Arising of Kāma

Devanagari script

सृष्ट्वा प्रजापतीन् दक्षप्रमुखान्सुरसत्तमान् । अमन्यं सुप्रसन्नोहं निजं सर्वमहोन्नतम्

Transliteration

sṛṣṭvā prajāpatīn dakṣapramukhānsurasattamān | amanyaṃ suprasannohaṃ nijaṃ sarvamahonnatam

Translation

Having created the Prajāpatis—foremost among them Dakṣa—the best among the gods, I, wholly delighted, regarded my own state as entirely exalted and supremely fulfilled.

Word by Word

• सृष्ट्वा: having created
• सृष्ट्वा: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सृज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययभाव (gerund/absolutive); पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having created)

• प्रजापतीन्: Prajapatis
• प्रजापतीन्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रजापति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन

• दक्षप्रमुखान्: with Dakṣa as chief
• दक्षप्रमुखान्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दक्ष + प्रमुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-प्रायः (दक्षः प्रमुखः येषां ते)

• सुरसत्तमान्: best among the gods
• सुरसत्तमान्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुर + सत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सुराणां सत्तमाः)

• अमन्यम्: I thought/considered
• अमन्यम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मन् (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/अनद्यतनभूत), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; नकार-आगम (अ-मन्य-म्)

• सुप्रसन्नः: very pleased
• सुप्रसन्नः: Kartṛ-viśeṣaṇa (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुप्रसन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तमपुरुष-सर्वनाम, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• निजम्: one's own
• निजम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• सर्वम्: all/entire
• सर्वम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• अहोन्नतम्: highly exalted
• अहोन्नतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अति/अह + उन्नत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; उन्नत (elevated) with intensifier (अहो-)

Speaker

Brahma

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: secondary creation (prajā-sarga) by Brahmā

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Daksha
• Prajapatis
• Devas

FAQs

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

It highlights how even Brahmā, after accomplishing creation, can feel self-satisfied; Shaiva Siddhānta uses this to point out that worldly and cosmic achievements are not final—true completeness comes only by grace of Pati (Lord Śiva), beyond ego and role.

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

Brahmā’s sense of exaltation contrasts with the Purāṇa’s message that the supreme reality is Śiva, often approached through the Śiva-liṅga as Saguna support; worship reorients the devotee from self-importance to surrender to Śiva’s sovereignty.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is humility-focused japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) along with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) remembrance—offering one’s actions to Śiva to dissolve pride after success.