Shloka 62

घनागमवर्णनम् / Description of the Monsoon’s Onset

Satī’s Address to Śiva

Devanagari script

विपंचीतांत्रिकामत्तमृदंगपटहस्वनैः । नृत्यद्भिरप्सरोभिश्च कौतुकोत्थैश्च शोभितम्

Transliteration

vipaṃcītāṃtrikāmattamṛdaṃgapaṭahasvanaiḥ | nṛtyadbhirapsarobhiśca kautukotthaiśca śobhitam

Translation

It was splendidly adorned with the sounds of the vīṇā and other stringed instruments, with the ecstatic resonance of mṛdaṅgas and paṭaha-drums, and beautified by dancing apsarās and by many delightful festivities born of joyous wonder.

Word by Word

• विपंची-तांत्रिक-आमत्त-मृदङ्ग-पटह-स्वनैः: with sounds of vīṇā, lutes, intoxicated drums and kettledrums
• विपंची-तांत्रिक-आमत्त-मृदङ्ग-पटह-स्वनैः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विपंची (प्रातिपदिक) + तांत्रिक (प्रातिपदिक) + आमत्त (प्रातिपदिक) + मृदङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + पटह (प्रातिपदिक) + स्वन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; समासः (मुख्यपदम्: स्वन), करण (with/by sounds)

• नृत्यद्भिः: by dancers (dancing ones)
• नृत्यद्भिः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नृत् (धातु) + नृत्यत् (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; करण (by dancing ones)

• अप्सरोभिः: by apsarases
• अप्सरोभिः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अप्सरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; करण

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• कौतुक-उत्थैः: with those arising from excitement/curiosity
• कौतुक-उत्थैः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कौतुक (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, तृतीया, बहुवचन; समासः (षष्ठी/तत्पुरुष: कौतुकात् उत्थाः), करण

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• शोभितम्: adorned, beautified
• शोभितम्: Karma (कर्म/Object described)
• Type: Verb
• Root: शुभ्/शोभ् (धातु) + शोभित (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; (स्थलम्) विशेषणम्

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Characters & Entities

• Apsaras

FAQs

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

The verse portrays a sanctified atmosphere where sound (nāda), rhythm, and joyous wonder become offerings—suggesting that devotion expressed through uplifted, pure celebration can refine the mind and support bhakti toward Śiva.

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

Such descriptions commonly frame a sacred setting around the Lord’s manifest (saguṇa) presence—where auspicious music and dance function as upacāras (devotional services), similar to how devotees honor the Śiva-liṅga with reverent, celebratory worship.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It implies nāda-upāsanā in a devotional mode: singing/chanting with focused attention as an offering to Śiva; practically, one may accompany japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with sattvic music and disciplined, prayerful joy.