Shloka 35

अध्याय १७ — देवपलायनं, विष्णोः प्रतियुद्धं, जलंधरक्रोधः

Devas’ Rout, Viṣṇu’s Counterattack, and Jalandhara’s Wrath

Devanagari script

अथ प्रसन्नो भगवान्मायी मायाविदां वरः । उवाच दैत्यराजानं मेघगंभीरया गिरा

Transliteration

atha prasanno bhagavānmāyī māyāvidāṃ varaḥ | uvāca daityarājānaṃ meghagaṃbhīrayā girā

Translation

Then the Blessed Lord—master of māyā, foremost among those who wield illusion—being pleased, spoke to the king of the Daityas in a voice deep as thunderclouds.

Word by Word

• अथ: then
• अथ: सम्बन्ध (Discourse marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तरार्थक-अव्ययम् (then/now)

• प्रसन्नः: pleased
• प्रसन्नः: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रसन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• भगवान्: the Lord
• भगवान्: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• मायी: possessing māyā/illusory power
• मायी: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मायिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• मायाविदाम्: of the knowers of māyā
• मायाविदाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मायाविद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, षष्ठी-विभक्तिः (6th case/Genitive), बहुवचनम्

• वरः: the best
• वरः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject complement)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; (मायाविदां) मध्ये श्रेष्ठार्थे

• उवाच: said/spoke
• उवाच: क्रिया (Verb/Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकारः (Perfect), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथम-पुरुषः, एकवचनम्

• दैत्यराजानम्: to the king of the demons
• दैत्यराजानम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दैत्यराज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (2nd case/Accusative), एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: दैत्यानां राजा

• मेघगंभीरया: with a cloud-deep
• मेघगंभीरया: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मेघ + गंभीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गः, तृतीया-विभक्तिः (3rd case/Instrumental), एकवचनम्; कर्मधारयः: मेघ इव गंभीरः (cloud-deep)

• गिरा: voice/speech
• गिरा: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गिर् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गः, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the scene; the direct speaker within the verse is Lord Shiva)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahadeva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Daitya-king

FAQs

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

It highlights Shiva as Pati—the sovereign Lord who governs māyā rather than being bound by it—showing that even in conflict He remains the gracious, conscious controller whose speech and will can transform the course of beings (pashu) caught in delusion.

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

Calling Shiva “Bhagavān” and “māyī” emphasizes His Saguna aspect: the approachable Lord who acts, speaks, and guides. Linga-worship similarly honors Shiva as the manifest focus through which devotees receive grace, while recognizing that He transcends the very māyā He employs.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with contemplation that Shiva is the master of māyā; this steadies the mind in devotion and reduces fascination with illusory powers, supporting inner purity (bhasma-bhāva) and surrender.