Shloka 28

कामप्रादुर्भावः — The Manifestation/Arising of Kāma

Devanagari script

कंबुग्रीवो मीनकेतुः प्रांशुर्मकरवाहनः । पंचपुष्पायुधो वेगी पुष्पकोदंडमंडितः

Transliteration

kaṃbugrīvo mīnaketuḥ prāṃśurmakaravāhanaḥ | paṃcapuṣpāyudho vegī puṣpakodaṃḍamaṃḍitaḥ

Translation

He had a conch-like neck; his banner bore the fish-emblem; he was tall, and his vehicle was the makara. Armed with five flower-arrows, swift in movement, he was adorned with a floral bow—thus was Kāma, the god of desire, described.

Word by Word

• कम्बु-ग्रीवः: conch-necked
• कम्बु-ग्रीवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कम्बु (प्रातिपदिक) + ग्रीवा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (कम्बुवत् ग्रीवा यस्य)

• मीन-केतुः: (he) whose emblem is a fish
• मीन-केतुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मीन (प्रातिपदिक) + केतु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (मीनः केतुः यस्य)

• प्रांशुः: tall, lofty
• प्रांशुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रांशु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• मकर-वाहनः: one whose mount is a makara
• मकर-वाहनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मकर (प्रातिपदिक) + वाहन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (मकरः वाहनम् यस्य)

• पञ्च-पुष्प-आयुधः: having five flower-weapons
• पञ्च-पुष्प-आयुधः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पञ्च (संख्या/प्रातिपदिक) + पुष्प (प्रातिपदिक) + आयुध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—द्विगु (पञ्च पुष्पाणि आयुधानि यस्य)

• वेगी: swift
• वेगी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेगिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; इन्-प्रत्ययान्त

• पुष्पक-उदण्ड-मण्डितः: adorned with a flower-bow (staff-like bow)
• पुष्पक-उदण्ड-मण्डितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुष्पक (प्रातिपदिक) + उदण्ड (प्रातिपदिक) + मण्डित (कृदन्त; √मण्ड् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (पुष्पक-उदण्डेन मण्डितः)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmī (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya in the Rudra Saṃhitā frame)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Characters & Entities

• Kama (Kamadeva)

FAQs

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

The verse paints Kāma as attractive and swift, symbolizing the mind’s quick movement toward sense-objects. In a Śaiva Siddhānta reading, it highlights a key bondage (pāśa)—desire—that must be purified and transcended through devotion to Pati (Śiva) for liberation.

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

By contrasting Kāma’s flower-weaponed allure with Śiva’s steadfastness, the narrative supports Linga/Saguṇa-Śiva worship as a stabilizing refuge: devotion (bhakti) and disciplined contemplation redirect the mind from sensory enchantment to the auspicious form and presence of Śiva.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with breath-awareness to steady the mind when desire surges; applying tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and maintaining sattvic discipline are supportive Śaiva practices for inner restraint.