Shloka 21

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मोवाच । एवमुक्तस्तया शंभुर्दाक्षायण्या तथाऽसकृत । संजहास च शीर्षस्थचन्द्ररश्मिस्मितालयम्

Transliteration

brahmovāca | evamuktastayā śaṃbhurdākṣāyaṇyā tathā'sakṛta | saṃjahāsa ca śīrṣasthacandraraśmismitālayam

Translation

Brahmā said: Thus addressed again and again by Dakṣa’s daughter, Śambhu smiled—His face becoming a dwelling-place of gentle laughter, as though illumined by the soothing rays of the moon upon His head.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मा: Brahmā
• ब्रह्मा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; वक्ता/कर्ता

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (perfect/परोक्षभूत), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (thus/in this manner)

• उक्तः: having been spoken to/addressed
• उक्तः: Karta-samanadhikarana (कर्तृसमानाधिकरण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्तः—क्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगे कर्तृसमानाधिकरण (predicate)

• तया: by her
• तया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; करण/कर्तृ (agent in passive)

• शम्भुः: Śambhu (Śiva)
• शम्भुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शम्भु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; कर्ता

• दाक्षायण्या: by Dākṣāyaṇī (Satī)
• दाक्षायण्या: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दाक्षायणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; करण/कर्तृ (agent in passive)

• तथा: so/likewise
• तथा: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकार/समुच्चयवाचक-अव्यय (so/likewise)

• असकृत्: repeatedly
• असकृत्: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: असकृत् (अव्यय)
• Form: आवृत्तिवाचक-अव्यय (repeatedly/many times)

• संजहास: laughed/smiled
• संजहास: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हस् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (perfect/परोक्षभूत), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद; उपसर्गः सम्

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (and)

• शीर्षस्थचन्द्ररश्मिस्मितालयम्: the abode of a smile (formed by) moon-rays on (his) head
• शीर्षस्थचन्द्ररश्मिस्मितालयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शीर्ष-स्थ-चन्द्र-रश्मि-स्मित-आलय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; कर्म; बहुपद-समासः (मुख्यतः तत्पुरुष-श्रृंखला): शीर्षे स्थितः चन्द्रः, तस्य रश्मयः, तैः स्मितम्, तस्य आलयम् (i.e., abode of smile consisting of moon-rays on the head)

Speaker

Brahma

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga origin; however, the moon-on-head imagery resonates with many Śiva-kṣetras where Candraśekhara iconography is central.

Significance: Contemplation of Candraśekhara/Śaṃbhu’s gentle smile is a bhāva-upāya: it pacifies the mind and signals the Lord’s gracious assent.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Satī

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Moonlight imagery (candraraśmi) as a cooling, pacifying cosmic motif.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Sati
• Daksha
• Brahma

FAQs

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

It highlights Śiva’s śānta (tranquil) and anugraha (grace-giving) nature: even when approached repeatedly, He responds with calm, moon-like coolness—teaching that the Lord’s compassion is steady and not disturbed by emotion or insistence.

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

The verse presents Saguna Śiva—recognizable by the moon on His head and His tender smile—supporting personal devotion. Such iconography guides the devotee from form-based worship (including Liṅga-upāsanā) toward inner contemplation of Śiva as Pati, the gracious Lord.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to cultivate a “moon-cooled” mind in japa and dhyāna—especially with the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya)—approaching Śiva repeatedly with steadiness, humility, and devotion.