Shloka 40

जालन्धरस्य दूतप्रेषणम् — Jalandhara Sends an Envoy to Kailāsa

The Provocation of Śiva

Devanagari script

राहुं त्यक्त्वाम्बरे सोथ पुरुषो दीनया गिरा । शिवोपकंठमागत्य महादेवं व्यजिज्ञपत्

Transliteration

rāhuṃ tyaktvāmbare sotha puruṣo dīnayā girā | śivopakaṃṭhamāgatya mahādevaṃ vyajijñapat

Translation

Then that man, abandoning Rāhu in the sky, came near Lord Śiva; and, in a humble and distressed voice, he addressed Mahādeva and made his petition.

Word by Word

• राहुम्: Rāhu
• राहुम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• त्यक्त्वा: having left/abandoned
• त्यक्त्वा: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: त्यज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having abandoned’

• अम्बरे: in the sky
• अम्बरे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अम्बर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), सप्तमी (7th case/locative), एकवचन

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha/Anukrama (अनुक्रम)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तरार्थक-अव्यय (sequencing particle)

• पुरुषः: the man/person
• पुरुषः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• दीनया: with a pitiable
• दीनया: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case/instrumental), एकवचन; गिरा-विशेषण

• गिरा: speech/voice
• गिरा: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गिर्/गिरा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• शिव-उपकण्ठम्: to Śiva’s side/near Śiva
• शिव-उपकण्ठम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक) + उपकण्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘near the neck/side of Śiva’), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• आगत्य: having come
• आगत्य: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ+गम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having come’

• महादेवम्: Mahādeva
• महादेवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महादेव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (महान् देवः), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• व्यजिज्ञपत्: informed/reported
• व्यजिज्ञपत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि+ज्ञप् (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/past), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Rāhu in the sky (graha/astral presence alluded)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Mahadeva
• Rahu

FAQs

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

It highlights śaraṇāgati—turning away from fear and worldly agitation and approaching Mahādeva with humility, trusting Śiva as the compassionate Lord who receives the distressed devotee.

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

The verse emphasizes approaching Śiva in His accessible, gracious (saguṇa) aspect—drawing near to the Lord’s presence and petitioning Him—mirroring how devotees approach the Śiva-liṅga with prayer, surrender, and devotion.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is humble prayer with japa—mentally taking refuge in Śiva while repeating the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and offering simple worship (water, bilva leaves) in a spirit of surrender.