Shloka 35

शिवसतीविवाहोत्तरलीला — Post‑marital Līlā of Śiva and Satī

Devanagari script

लवंगवल्लीसुरभिगंधेनोद्वास्य मारुतम् । मोहयामास चेतांसि भृशं कामिजने पुरा

Transliteration

lavaṃgavallīsurabhigaṃdhenodvāsya mārutam | mohayāmāsa cetāṃsi bhṛśaṃ kāmijane purā

Translation

Perfuming the wind with the fragrant scent of clove-creepers, she once greatly bewildered the minds of people driven by desire.

Word by Word

• लवङ्गवल्लीसुरभिगन्धेन: with the fragrant scent of clove-creeper
• लवङ्गवल्लीसुरभिगन्धेन: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लवङ्गवल्ली + सुरभिगन्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘लवङ्गवल्ल्याः सुरभिः गन्धः’ (fragrant scent of clove-creeper)

• उद्वास्य: having perfumed
• उद्वास्य: क्रियाविशेषण (Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद्√वा (धातु)
• Form: ल्यप् (absolutive/gerund), ‘having perfumed/filled with fragrance’

• मारुतम्: the wind
• मारुतम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मारुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• मोहयामास: bewildered/enchanted
• मोहयामास: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मुह् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; णिच् (causative) भाव: ‘caused to be deluded’

• चेतांसि: minds
• चेतांसि: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चेतस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• भृशम्: exceedingly
• भृशम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: भृशम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• कामिजने: among lovers/people of desire
• कामिजने: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location; among)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कामिजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘कामिनां जनः’

• पुरा: formerly/then
• पुरा: कालाधिकरण (Kāla-adhikaraṇa/Time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुरा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb of time)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Mahadeva

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Satī

Role: teaching

Ritual Elements

Offering: dhupa

FAQs

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

It highlights how the mind (cetas) is easily overpowered by sense-objects—here, fragrance—creating moha (delusion). From a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, this warns the bound soul (paśu) about pasha-like attachments such as kāma, which obstruct devotion and steady awareness of Pati (Shiva).

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

Linga/Saguna-Shiva worship disciplines the senses through mantra, ritual purity, and focused attention. By turning the mind from outward fragrance and attraction toward Shiva’s form and presence, the devotee replaces delusion with bhakti and inner steadiness.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice pratyāhāra (sense-withdrawal) alongside japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—to keep the mind from running outward. Supporting Shaiva disciplines like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa can be adopted as reminders of vairāgya and Shiva-centered awareness.