Shloka 16

उत्पातवर्णनम् / Description of Portents at Dakṣa’s Sacrifice

Devanagari script

एवं विधान्यरिष्टानि ददृशुर्विबुधादयः । भयमापेदिरेऽत्यंतं मुने विष्ण्वादिकास्तदा

Transliteration

evaṃ vidhānyariṣṭāni dadṛśurvibudhādayaḥ | bhayamāpedire'tyaṃtaṃ mune viṣṇvādikāstadā

Translation

Seeing such ominous portents, the gods and other celestial beings were seized by extreme fear; at that time, O sage, even Viṣṇu and the others were overwhelmed by great dread.

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of manner)

• विधानि: various, manifold
• विधानि: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विधा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd case), बहुवचन; विशेषण

• अरिष्टानि: calamities, ominous events
• अरिष्टानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अरिष्ट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd case), बहुवचन

• ददृशुः: they saw
• ददृशुः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/परोक्षभूत), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• विबुध-आदयः: the gods and others
• विबुध-आदयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विबुध (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), बहुवचन; ‘विबुधाः आदयः येषाम्’ इति समूहवाचक

• भयम्: fear
• भयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन

• आपेदिरे: they fell into / experienced
• आपेदिरे: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आपद् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/परोक्षभूत), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; आत्मनेपद

• अत्यन्तम्: exceedingly
• अत्यन्तम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्यन्तम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; परिमाण/तीव्रतावाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of degree)

• मुने: O sage
• मुने: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th case/vocative), एकवचन

• विष्णु-आदिकाः: Vishnu and others
• विष्णु-आदिकाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक) + आदिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), बहुवचन; ‘विष्णुः आदिः येषाम्’

• तदा: then
• तदा: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक (temporal adverb)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Rudra

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: utpāta-darśana causing devas’ collective fear (including Viṣṇu)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Devas

FAQs

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

The verse shows that even exalted devas can be shaken by cosmic disturbances, implying that safety lies not in status but in taking refuge in Pati (Śiva), the supreme protector and controller of destiny.

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

When the cosmos displays inauspicious signs, the Shaiva teaching is to turn to Saguna Śiva—worship of the Liṅga as Śiva’s accessible form—seeking steadiness, protection, and restoration of dharma.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with śuddhi through bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and calm dhyāna on the Liṅga to dissolve fear and re-center the mind in Śiva.