Shloka 31

दाक्षयज्ञप्रस्थान-प्रश्नः

Satī Inquires about the Departure for Dakṣa’s Sacrifice

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मोवाच । एवमुक्ता सती तेन महेशेन महात्मना । उवाच रोषसंयुक्ता शिवं वाक्यविदां वरम्

Transliteration

brahmovāca | evamuktā satī tena maheśena mahātmanā | uvāca roṣasaṃyuktā śivaṃ vākyavidāṃ varam

Translation

Brahmā said: Thus addressed by that great-souled Maheśa, Satī—filled with indignation—spoke to Śiva, foremost among those who know the right use of words.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मा: Brahmā
• ब्रह्मा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकारः (perfect), प्रथम-पुरुषः, एकवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकार-अव्ययम् (thus)

• उक्ता: having been spoken to
• उक्ता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वच् (धातु) + उक्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; ‘having been addressed/told’

• सती: Sati
• सती: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• तेन: by him
• तेन: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे/नपुंसकलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; ‘by him’

• महेशेन: by Maheśa
• महेशेन: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महेश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; apposition to तेन

• महात्मना: by the great-souled (one)
• महात्मना: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; apposition ‘by the great-souled one’

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकारः (perfect), प्रथम-पुरुषः, एकवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

• रोषसंयुक्ता: joined with anger, anger-filled
• रोषसंयुक्ता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रोष + संयुक्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; सम्+युज् धातु)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; तृतीया-तत्पुरुषार्थः ‘रोषेण संयुक्ता’; विशेषणम् (सती)

• शिवम्: Śiva
• शिवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• वाक्यविदाम्: of the eloquent/knowers of speech
• वाक्यविदाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्यविद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, षष्ठी-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; ‘of the knowers of speech/eloquence’

• वरम्: the best, excellent
• वरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; शिवम् इति कर्मपदस्य विशेषणम् (श्रेष्ठम्)

Speaker

Brahma

Shaiva Theology

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Satī

Role: destructive

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Sati
• Shiva
• Mahesha

FAQs

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

It highlights Śiva as the master of dharmic, truth-bearing speech, while showing how even a pure devotee like Satī can be overtaken by roṣa (indignation) when dharma is challenged—setting the stage for karmic consequences and deeper Shaiva teaching on inner steadiness.

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

By calling Śiva ‘the foremost knower of words,’ the text points to Saguna Śiva as the compassionate teacher who guides devotees through speech, mantra, and instruction—foundational to Linga-worship where the devotee approaches Śiva as Guru and Lord.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is disciplined speech and mantra-japa—especially steady remembrance of the Panchākṣarī (‘Om Namaḥ Śivāya’)—so that emotions like anger do not disturb devotion and dharmic clarity.