Shloka 3

कामप्रादुर्भावः — The Manifestation/Arising of Kāma

Devanagari script

अतः कथय तत्सर्वं शिवस्य चरितं शुभम् । सतीकीर्त्यन्वितं दिव्यं श्रोतुमिच्छामि विश्वकृत्

Transliteration

ataḥ kathaya tatsarvaṃ śivasya caritaṃ śubham | satīkīrtyanvitaṃ divyaṃ śrotumicchāmi viśvakṛt

Translation

Therefore, recount all of that auspicious sacred history of Lord Śiva—divine, and adorned with the glory of Satī. I, the Maker of the universe, desire to hear it.

Word by Word

• अतः: therefore
• अतः: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb); हेत्वर्थे (therefore/for this reason)

• कथय: tell (you)
• कथय: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कथ् (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative/लोट्), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (points to 'all this')

• सर्वम्: all
• सर्वम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• शिवस्य: of Śiva
• शिवस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; सम्बन्ध/Genitive

• चरितम्: deed(s), life-story
• चरितम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चरित (प्रातिपदिक; √चर् + क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past participial noun)

• शुभम्: auspicious
• शुभम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (चरितम्)

• सती-कीर्ति-अन्वितम्: endowed with Sati’s fame
• सती-कीर्ति-अन्वितम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सती (प्रातिपदिक) + कीर्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्वित (प्रातिपदिक; √अन्वि + क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (सत्याः कीर्त्या अन्वितम् = endowed with Sati's fame)

• दिव्यम्: divine
• दिव्यम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दिव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• श्रोतुम्: to hear
• श्रोतुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/Purpose)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √श्रु (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (infinitive/तुमुन्), अव्ययवत् प्रयोगः

• इच्छामि: I desire
• इच्छामि: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √इष्/√इच्छ् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present/लट्), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• विश्व-कृत्: the maker of the universe
• विश्व-कृत्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्व (प्रातिपदिक) + कृत् (कृदन्त; √कृ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (विश्वं करोति इति)

Speaker

Brahma

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: This verse is a narrative hinge (praśna/āśaya) requesting Śiva’s carita “adorned with Satī’s glory,” not a specific liṅga-sthala episode.

Significance: Śravaṇa (hearing) of Śiva–Satī kathā is framed as a direct means to puṇya and clarity of devotion, preparing the listener for grace (anugraha).

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Satī

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Sati
• Brahma

FAQs

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

It elevates śravaṇa (devotional listening) of Śiva’s auspicious deeds—especially those connected with Satī—as a purifying, grace-inviting act that turns the mind toward Pati (Śiva) and away from pāśa (bondage).

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

By requesting Śiva’s “carita” (divine deeds), the verse supports Saguna devotion—approaching Śiva through his manifest līlā and sacred history, which traditionally culminates in reverence for his forms, including the Liṅga, as accessible embodiments of the Supreme.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Regular śravaṇa and kathā-śravaṇam (hearing/recitation) of Śiva Purāṇa—ideally alongside japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—as a simple daily sādhana to steady devotion.