Shloka 52

नारदमोहवर्णनम् — Description of Nārada’s Delusion

Devanagari script

सर्वे राजकुमाराश्च निराशाः श्रीमतीम्प्रति । मुनिस्तु विह्वलोऽतीव बभूव मदनातुरः

Transliteration

sarve rājakumārāśca nirāśāḥ śrīmatīmprati | munistu vihvalo'tīva babhūva madanāturaḥ

Translation

All the princes became despondent regarding Śrīmatī. But the sage, utterly overwhelmed, was tormented by Kāma—the fever of desire.

Word by Word

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (राजकुमाराः)

• राज-कुमाराः: princes
• राज-कुमाराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक) + कुमार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (राज्ञः कुमाराः)

• च: and
• च: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (conjunction)

• निराशाः: hopeless/disappointed
• निराशाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निराश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (राजकुमाराः)

• श्रीमतीम्: Śrīmatī (the lady)
• श्रीमतीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रीमती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन; (स्त्री-नाम)

• प्रति: towards/with regard to
• प्रति: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (preposition-like; governs accusative)

• मुनिः: the sage
• मुनिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचन

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle/contrast)

• विह्वलः: bewildered/overwhelmed
• विह्वलः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विह्वल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (मुनिः)

• अतीव: very
• अतीव: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अतीव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb; intensifier)

• बभूव: became
• बभूव: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भू (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• मदन-आतुरः: tormented by love (Kāma)
• मदन-आतुरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मदन (प्रातिपदिक) + आतुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (मदनेन आतुरः)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• Kama (Madana)
• Śrīmatī

FAQs

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

It highlights kāma as a form of pāśa (bondage) that agitates even the learned, showing why Shaiva teaching emphasizes mastery of desire through devotion (bhakti) and discernment (viveka) so the soul may turn toward Pati, Lord Śiva.

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

When the mind is shaken by desire and disappointment, Saguna Śiva-worship—especially steadiness in Linga-upāsanā—functions as a stabilizing refuge, redirecting attention from transient attraction to the auspicious, purifying presence of Śiva.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") with calm breath, supported by vibhūti (Tripuṇḍra) and/or rudrākṣa, to cool the agitation of kāma and re-center the mind in Śiva.