Shloka 2

दधीचाश्रमगमनम् — Viṣṇu’s Disguise and Dadhīca’s Fearlessness

Kṣu’s Request

Devanagari script

दधीचं प्राह विप्रर्षिमभिवंद्य जगद्गुरुः । क्षुवकार्य्यार्थमुद्युक्तश्शैवेन्द्रं छलमाश्रितः

Transliteration

dadhīcaṃ prāha viprarṣimabhivaṃdya jagadguruḥ | kṣuvakāryyārthamudyuktaśśaivendraṃ chalamāśritaḥ

Translation

Having respectfully saluted the brahmin-sage Dadhīci, the Jagadguru addressed him. Intent on accomplishing his own purpose, Indra—foe of the Daityas—resorted to a stratagem.

Word by Word

• दधीचम्: Dadhīca
• दधीचम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दधीच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; नाम

• प्राह: said
• प्राह: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + अह्/ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (परोक्षभूत/Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• विप्र-ऋषिम्: the brāhmaṇa-sage
• विप्र-ऋषिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक) + ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समासः (विप्रश्चासौ ऋषिः)

• अभिवन्द्य: having bowed/saluted
• अभिवन्द्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अभि + वन्द् (धातु)
• Form: ल्यप्/क्त्वा-समकक्ष अव्यय (gerund): ‘having saluted’

• जगत्-गुरुः: the teacher of the world
• जगत्-गुरुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत् (प्रातिपदिक) + गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (जगतः गुरुः)

• क्षुव-कार्य-अर्थम्: for Kṣu’s purpose/task
• क्षुव-कार्य-अर्थम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/अर्थ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षुव (प्रातिपदिक) + कार्य (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (अर्थ-शब्दः पुं), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (प्रयोजन/कर्म), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (क्षुवस्य कार्यस्य अर्थम्)

• उद्युक्तः: engaged/intent
• उद्युक्तः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उद् + युज् (धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (engaged/ready)

• शैव-इन्द्रम्: Śaiva Indra (a Śaiva lord/Indra-like one)
• शैव-इन्द्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शैव (प्रातिपदिक) + इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समासः (शैवश्चासौ इन्द्रः)

• छलम्: a ruse/deceit
• छलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: छल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• आश्रितः: having resorted to
• आश्रितः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आ + श्रि (धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (having resorted to)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Characters & Entities

• Dadhichi
• Indra

FAQs

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

It contrasts the rishi’s dharmic stature—worthy of reverence—with Indra’s worldly urgency, showing that spiritual authority rests in tapas and truth, while expedient “chala” signals bondage to outcomes.

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

By highlighting the jagad-guru principle—true guidance rooted in purity—it supports the Shaiva view that Saguna Shiva (worshipped as Linga) is approached through humility, right intention, and reverence for realized sages.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is reverential approach (abhivandana) before seeking boons—begin with Shiva-smaraṇa and the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” cultivating sincerity rather than manipulative intent.