Shloka 31

कामशापानुग्रहः (Kāmaśāpānugraha) — “The Curse and Grace Concerning Kāma”

Devanagari script

संस्मरन्मनसा धर्मं शंकरं धर्मपालकम् । तुष्टाव विविधैर्वाक्यैर्दीनो भूत्वाजसंभवः

Transliteration

saṃsmaranmanasā dharmaṃ śaṃkaraṃ dharmapālakam | tuṣṭāva vividhairvākyairdīno bhūtvājasaṃbhavaḥ

Translation

Remembering within his mind Śaṅkara—the very embodiment and protector of dharma—Aja-sambhava (Brahmā), humbled and distressed, praised Him with many kinds of supplicatory words.

Word by Word

• संस्मरन्: remembering
• संस्मरन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √स्मृ (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (शतृ/Present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘remembering’

• मनसा: with the mind
• मनसा: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), एकवचन

• धर्मम्: Dharma / righteousness
• धर्मम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• शंकरम्: Śaṅkara
• शंकरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शंकर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• धर्म-पालकम्: protector of dharma
• धर्म-पालकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + पालक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (धर्मस्य पालकः)

• तुष्टाव: praised
• तुष्टाव: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √स्तु (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• विविधैः: with various
• विविधैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विविध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन; विशेषण (वाक्यैः इति)

• वाक्यैः: with sentences/words
• वाक्यैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन

• दीनः: distressed, humble
• दीनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (अजसंभवः इति)

• भूत्वा: having become
• भूत्वा: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भू (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having become’

• अज-संभवः: Ajasambhava (Brahmā / the self-born)
• अज-संभवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अज (प्रातिपदिक) + संभव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (अजात् संभवः/अजस्य संभवः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages; the verse describes Brahma’s act of praise)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma

FAQs

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

It highlights that even Brahmā turns inward in remembrance and humbly seeks Śiva, acknowledging Him as the supreme guardian of dharma—suggesting that true alignment with righteousness culminates in surrender to Pati (Śiva).

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

The verse models Saguna devotion—praising Śaṅkara with words while holding Him in the mind—an approach central to Linga-worship where inner remembrance (bhāva) and outward stuti/arcana together establish communion with Śiva.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Mental japa and smaraṇa of Śiva (especially the Panchākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) along with spoken stotra—performed with humility—are implied as the practical takeaway.