Shloka 4

दधीचाश्रमगमनम् — Viṣṇu’s Disguise and Dadhīca’s Fearlessness

Kṣu’s Request

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मोवाच । याचितो देवदेवेन दधीचश्शैवसत्तमः । क्षुवकार्यार्थिना शीघ्रं जगाद वचनं हरिम्

Transliteration

brahmovāca | yācito devadevena dadhīcaśśaivasattamaḥ | kṣuvakāryārthinā śīghraṃ jagāda vacanaṃ harim

Translation

Brahmā said: When the best of Śaivas, the sage Dadhīci, was entreated by the God of gods, he swiftly spoke words to Hari (Viṣṇu), who had come seeking help for the task at hand.

Word by Word

• brahmā: Brahmā
• brahmā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verbal action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• yācitaḥ: having been requested
• yācitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: yāc (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• deva-devena: by the god of gods
• deva-devena: Karana (करण/Agent-instrument in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक) + deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः ‘देवानां देवः’

• dadhīcaḥ: Dadhīca
• dadhīcaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dadhīca (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• śaiva-sattamaḥ: the best among Śaivas
• śaiva-sattamaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaiva (प्रातिपदिक) + sattama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः ‘शैवानां सत्तमः’

• kṣuva-kārya-arthinā: by/for one seeking the kṣuva-purpose
• kṣuva-kārya-arthinā: Karana (करण/Instrumental—cause/occasion)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣuva (प्रातिपदिक) + kārya (प्रातिपदिक) + arthin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः ‘kṣuva-kārye arthī’ (one seeking the kṣuva-task/purpose)

• śīghram: quickly
• śīghram: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: śīghra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb)

• jagāda: spoke
• jagāda: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verbal action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gad (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• vacanam: words / speech
• vacanam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• harim: to Hari (Viṣṇu)
• harim: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

Speaker

Brahma

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Shiva
• Vishnu
• Dadhichi

FAQs

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

The verse highlights the Shaiva ideal that true greatness is shown in prompt, selfless response to Śiva’s divine purpose; the foremost devotee (śaiva-sattama) acts without delay when the Lord’s work calls.

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

By naming Śiva as Devadeva (God of gods), the verse affirms Saguna Śiva as the supreme personal Lord who directs cosmic affairs; devotion to Him—often centered on Liṅga-worship—naturally expresses itself as readiness to serve His will.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is sevā-bhāva (devotional service) supported by japa of Śiva’s name (especially the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to cultivate promptness, humility, and alignment with Śiva’s command.