Shloka 19

हंस-वराह-रूपग्रहण-कारणम्

The Reason for Assuming the Swan and Boar Forms

Devanagari script

अंतर्हिते महादेवे त्वहं लोकपितामहः । तदीयं वचनं कर्तुमध्यायन्ध्यानतत्परः

Transliteration

aṃtarhite mahādeve tvahaṃ lokapitāmahaḥ | tadīyaṃ vacanaṃ kartumadhyāyandhyānatatparaḥ

Translation

When Mahādeva withdrew from sight, I—Brahmā, the grandsire of the worlds—became intent on study and meditation, so that I might carry out His command.

Word by Word

• antarhite: when (he) had disappeared/was hidden
• antarhite: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: antar-√dhā (धा धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त/कृत), locative singular masculine/neuter agreeing with ‘mahādeve’; from antar + √dhā/√dhā (to disappear)

• mahādeve: in/with regard to Mahādeva
• mahādeve: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahādeva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (निपातार्थ)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Indeclinable particle (निपात); contrast/emphasis

• aham: I
• aham: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: Pronoun, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• loka-pitāmahaḥ: grandfather of the worlds (Brahmā)
• loka-pitāmahaḥ: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: loka (प्रातिपदिक) + pitāmaha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; तत्पुरुष (षष्ठी): ‘लोकानां पितामहः’

• tadīyam: his/that (one’s)
• tadīyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tadīya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; possessive adjective qualifying ‘vacanam’

• vacanam: word, command
• vacanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• kartum: to do, to carry out
• kartum: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (कृ धातु)
• Form: Infinitive (तुमुन्), from √kṛ; purpose (प्रयोजन)

• adhyāyan: studying/reciting
• adhyāyan: Kartṛ-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृ-विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: adhi-√i (इ धातु) / adhyāya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ), nominative singular masculine; ‘studying/reciting’; from adhi + √i (to study)

• dhyāna-tatparaḥ: intent on meditation
• dhyāna-tatparaḥ: Kartṛ-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृ-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dhyāna (प्रातिपदिक) + tatpara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; तत्पुरुष: ‘ध्याने तत्परः’ = devoted to meditation; predicate adjective to ‘aham’

Speaker

Brahmā

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Tirodhāna (Lord’s withdrawal from perception) preceding ordered creation

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma

FAQs

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

It shows that even Brahmā acts as a servant of Pati (Śiva): when Śiva’s presence becomes unmanifest, the right response is disciplined study and meditation to align with His command—highlighting Śiva’s supreme governance in a Shaiva Siddhanta frame.

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

Śiva becoming ‘antarhita’ points to the ungraspable (nirguṇa) aspect, while Brahmā’s effort to fulfill Śiva’s word reflects devotion to the Lord’s will as accessible through saguna supports—such as Linga-worship, mantra, and prescribed practice that embody Śiva’s command.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The verse suggests adhyayana (scriptural recitation/study) together with dhyāna (steady meditation). Practically, this can be paired with japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and contemplative focus on Śiva’s presence even when not outwardly perceived.