Shloka 51

हंस-वराह-रूपग्रहण-कारणम्

The Reason for Assuming the Swan and Boar Forms

Devanagari script

प्रत्युत्तरं च तदनु श्रुत्वाहं मुनिसत्तम । अकार्षं क्रोधमत्युग्रं मोहमाप्तश्च नारद

Transliteration

pratyuttaraṃ ca tadanu śrutvāhaṃ munisattama | akārṣaṃ krodhamatyugraṃ mohamāptaśca nārada

Translation

O best of sages, after hearing that reply, I was seized by exceedingly fierce anger and fell into delusion, O Nārada.

Word by Word

• प्रति-उत्तरम्: a reply
• प्रति-उत्तरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रति (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + उत्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (‘reply/answer in return’)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय (conjunction)

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• अनु: thereupon
• अनु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अनु (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रम/अनुगमनवाचक अव्यय (after/thereupon)

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु) → श्रुत्वा (क्त्वा)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), ‘having heard’

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा, एकवचन; उत्तमपुरुष-सर्वनाम

• मुनि-सत्तम: O best of sages
• मुनि-सत्तम: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक) + सत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative/सम्बोधन), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (‘best among sages’)

• अकार्षम्: I did / I made
• अकार्षम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), परस्मैपद, उत्तमपुरुष (1st), एकवचन

• क्रोधम्: anger
• क्रोधम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रोध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अति-उग्रम्: very fierce
• अति-उग्रम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अति (अव्यय/उपसर्ग) + उग्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—अव्ययीभावः (‘excessively fierce’), विशेषण (qualifies क्रोधम्)

• मोहम्: delusion
• मोहम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मोह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• आप्तः: having been seized by / having attained
• आप्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-√आप् (धातु) → आप्त (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle, क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्तरि प्रयोगे ‘having attained/overcome by’

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय (conjunction)

• नारद: O Nārada
• नारद: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नारद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन

Speaker

Brahma (narrating to Narada)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Rudra

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Brahma

FAQs

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

It shows how even exalted beings can be clouded by krodha (anger) and moha (delusion), highlighting the Shaiva insight that bondage arises from inner impurities and is overcome through Shiva-oriented clarity and devotion.

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

The verse contrasts disturbed, ego-driven reactions with the stabilizing refuge of Saguna Shiva worship—approaching Shiva (often through Linga-upasana) purifies agitation and restores discernment (viveka).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to pacify anger and delusion, supported by simple Shaiva disciplines like mental worship of the Linga and steady breath-awareness.