Shloka 28

शुक्रस्य जठरस्थत्वं तथा मृत्युशमनी-विद्या (Śukra in Śiva’s belly and the death-subduing vidyā)

Devanagari script

किंचित्स्मितं तदा कृत्वा सोऽब्रवीद्दानवाधिपम् । भार्गवश्शिवपादाब्जं सप्पा स्वस्थेन चेतसा

Transliteration

kiṃcitsmitaṃ tadā kṛtvā so'bravīddānavādhipam | bhārgavaśśivapādābjaṃ sappā svasthena cetasā

Translation

Then, with a slight smile, Bhārgava spoke to the lord of the Dānavas. Having reverently worshipped the lotus-feet of Śiva, he spoke with a steady and composed mind.

Word by Word

• किञ्चित्: a little
• किञ्चित्: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: किञ्चित् (अव्यय/सर्वनाम)
• Form: परिमाणवाचक अव्यय (indeclinable quantifier: a little)

• स्मितम्: smile
• स्मितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्मित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; कृत्वा इत्यस्य कर्म

• तदा: then
• तदा: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (adverb of time)

• कृत्वा: having done
• कृत्वा: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कृ (धातु) → कृत्वा (क्त्वान्त)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (gerund/absolutive)

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

• अब्रवीत्: said/spoke
• अब्रवीत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (imperfect/past), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• दानवाधिपम्: the lord of the Dānavas
• दानवाधिपम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दानव-अधिप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (दानवानाम् अधिपः); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• भार्गवः: Bhārgava (Śukra)
• भार्गवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भार्गव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• शिवपादाब्जम्: Śiva’s lotus-feet
• शिवपादाब्जम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव-पाद-अब्ज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (शिवस्य पादयोः अब्जम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• सप्‍पा: (unclear reading)
• सप्‍पा: Unclear (अस्पष्ट)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सप्‍पा (पाठभेद/अव्यक्त)
• Form: पाठे 'सप्पा' रूपं संदिग्धम्; सम्भाव्यं 'स्मृत्वा/सम्यक्/सप्रीत्या' इत्यादि; अत्र यथापाठं स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन इव

• स्वस्थेन: with a composed/steady
• स्वस्थेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वस्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; चेतसा इत्यनेन सह करणभावे

• चेतसा: mind
• चेतसा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चेतस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

Speaker

Bhārgava

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Bhārgava
• Dānava-adhipa

FAQs

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

It presents a Shaiva ideal: before engaging in speech or conflict, one first takes refuge in Pati—Śiva’s lotus-feet—thereby gaining svastha-citta (inner steadiness). Action grounded in devotion becomes aligned with dharma rather than agitation.

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

Worship of Śiva’s “lotus-feet” points to Saguna devotion—approaching Śiva through a sacred form and relationship. In practice, this same bhakti is expressed through Liṅga-pūjā, where the devotee centers the mind and offers reverence before speaking or acting.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is pūrvāṅga-bhakti: begin any undertaking with mental worship (mānasa-pūjā) of Śiva, steady the breath and mind, and remember the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to establish composure before engagement.