Shloka 3

देवशरणागति-नारदप्रेषणम् | The Devas Take Refuge in Śiva; Nārada Is Sent

Devanagari script

तुष्टुवुर्वाग्भिरिष्टाभिर्भगवंतं महेश्वरम् । निवृत्तये स्वदुःखस्य सर्वदं भक्तवत्सलम्

Transliteration

tuṣṭuvurvāgbhiriṣṭābhirbhagavaṃtaṃ maheśvaram | nivṛttaye svaduḥkhasya sarvadaṃ bhaktavatsalam

Translation

With cherished and fitting words, they praised Bhagavān Maheśvara—ever affectionate to His devotees and the giver of all boons—seeking the cessation of their own sorrow.

Word by Word

• तुष्टुवुः: they praised
• तुष्टुवुः: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्तु (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; परस्मैपदी; ‘they praised’

• वाग्भिः: with words
• वाग्भिः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाच् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; ‘with words/speeches’

• इष्टाभिः: pleasing
• इष्टाभिः: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इष्ट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण (dear/pleasing)

• भगवन्तम्: the Blessed Lord
• भगवन्तम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• महेश्वरम्: Mahēśvara
• महेश्वरम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा-ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: महान् ईश्वरः (Great Lord)

• निवृत्तये: for the cessation
• निवृत्तये: सम्प्रदान (Sampradāna/Purpose-Dative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निवृत्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; प्रयोजन (for cessation)

• स्वदुःखस्य: of their own sorrow
• स्वदुःखस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व-दुःख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: स्वस्य दुःखम् (their own sorrow)

• सर्वदम्: giver of all
• सर्वदम्: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व-द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: सर्वं ददाति इति (giver of all)

• भक्तवत्सलम्: loving toward devotees
• भक्तवत्सलम्: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भक्त-वत्सल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: भक्तेषु वत्सलः (affectionate to devotees)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Frames Śiva as bhaktavatsala and sarvada; the implied fruit is duḥkha-nivṛtti (cessation of sorrow) through stuti and śaraṇāgati.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse highlights bhakti as a direct means to relief from duḥkha: devotees turn to Maheśvara with sincere praise, trusting His grace as Bhaktavatsala (devotee-loving) and Sarvada (bestower of all that is truly beneficial).

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

It reflects Saguna-upāsanā: approaching Shiva in a personal, worshipful form through stuti (hymns). In Shiva Purana practice, such praise naturally accompanies Linga worship—offering words, names, and prayers to invoke Shiva’s compassionate response.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Stuti and nāma-japa: recite Shiva’s names (especially the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with devotion, seeking inner cessation of sorrow; this can be paired with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as supportive Shaiva observances.