Shloka 33

शिवसतीविवाहोत्तरलीला — Post‑marital Līlā of Śiva and Satī

Devanagari script

बभुः पंकजपुष्पाणि सरस्सु संकलाञ्जनान् । संमोहयितुमुद्युक्ता सुमुखी वायुदेवता

Transliteration

babhuḥ paṃkajapuṣpāṇi sarassu saṃkalāñjanān | saṃmohayitumudyuktā sumukhī vāyudevatā

Translation

In the lakes, lotus-flowers appeared, darkened as though smeared with collyrium, while the fair-faced Wind-goddess set herself to the task of bewildering and distracting the mind.

Word by Word

• babhuḥ: became/appeared
• babhuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhū (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural; Parasmaipada

• paṃkaja-puṣpāṇi: lotus-flowers
• paṃkaja-puṣpāṇi: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: paṃkaja (प्रातिपदिक) + puṣpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; तत्पुरुषः (‘lotus’ + ‘flowers’)

• sarassu: in the lakes/ponds
• sarassu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saras (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural (Vedic/epic loc. pl. form)

• saṃkala-añjanān: dark collyrium-like (blackening) [things]
• saṃkala-añjanān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṃkala (प्रातिपदिक) + añjana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural; तत्पुरुषः

• saṃmohayitum: to delude/enchant
• saṃmohayitum: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: saṃ-√muh (धातु)
• Form: Infinitive (तुमुन्), purpose sense (प्रयोजन)

• udyuktā: engaged; intent
• udyuktā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of vāyudevatā
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ud-√yuj (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• su-mukhī: beautiful-faced
• su-mukhī: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of vāyudevatā
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su (प्रातिपदिक) + mukha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; कर्मधारयः (‘beautiful’ + ‘faced’)

• vāyu-devatā: the wind-deity
• vāyu-devatā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāyu (प्रातिपदिक) + devatā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; तत्पुरुषः (‘wind’ + ‘deity’)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmi

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Vayu

FAQs

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

The verse portrays how alluring appearances in nature can be used to generate moha (bewilderment), reminding the seeker that liberation in Shaiva thought comes by turning the mind from sensory fascination toward steadfast devotion to Pati (Shiva).

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

Such “bewildering” displays highlight the need for a stable support for contemplation; Saguna Shiva worship—especially Linga-upasana—anchors attention in the auspicious form of Shiva rather than in shifting, sense-pleasing phenomena.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with breath-aware steadiness, combined with simple vairagya—observing attractions without following them—so the mind is not carried away by delusion.