Shloka 46

Devanagari script

हरिब्रह्मादिकानां च प्रार्थनावशतोप्यहम् । सुराणामीश्वरो दूत युद्धार्थमगमं खलु

Transliteration

haribrahmādikānāṃ ca prārthanāvaśatopyaham | surāṇāmīśvaro dūta yuddhārthamagamaṃ khalu

Translation

Even I—moved by the entreaties of Hari, Brahmā, and the other gods—indeed went forth as a messenger for the sake of the battle, though I am the Lord of the Devas.

Word by Word

• हरिब्रह्मादिकानाम्: of Hari, Brahmā and others
• हरिब्रह्मादिकानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि + ब्रह्मन् + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (हरिः ब्रह्मा आदयः येषां ते)

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

• प्रार्थनावशतः: due to (their) entreaty
• प्रार्थनावशतः: Hetu/Apadana (हेतु/अपादान—cause ‘due to’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रार्थना + वश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (प्रार्थनायाः वशः = under the influence of request)

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle; even/also)

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

• सुराणाम्: of the gods
• सुराणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• ईश्वरः: the lord
• ईश्वरः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—apposition to aham)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• दूतः: a messenger
• दूतः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—predicate noun)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• युद्धार्थम्: for the sake of battle
• युद्धार्थम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/Purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युद्ध + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (युद्धस्य अर्थः)

• अगमम्: I went
• अगमम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/Past), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• खलु: indeed
• खलु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: खलु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle; indeed/certainly)

Speaker

Lord Shiva (implied within Sūta Gosvāmin’s narration in the Yuddhakhaṇḍa dialogue context)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; the verse stresses Śiva’s līlā: though īśvara of devas, He accepts a subordinate role (dūta) due to their prayer—anugraha expressed as humility.

Significance: Models divine accessibility: the supreme Lord responds to sincere supplication and participates in dharmic restoration.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Vishnu (Hari)
• Brahma
• Devas (Suras)

FAQs

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

It highlights Shiva’s īśvaratva (supreme lordship) joined with compassion and humility: though the Lord of the Devas, he accepts a seemingly lesser role to uphold dharma and guide events toward the righteous outcome.

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

As Saguna Shiva, the Lord actively enters the world’s affairs—protecting the Devas and restoring balance. Linga-worship honors this accessible, grace-bestowing Lord who responds to sincere prayer and steers conflict toward dharmic resolution.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is prapatti (surrender) and prayerful reliance on Shiva: chant the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with humility, offering water and bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) while seeking guidance to act dharmically in conflict.