Shloka 48

Devanagari script

कूष्मांडतनया तत्र शंकरं स्प्रष्टुमुत्सहे । अहं गौरीसुरूपेण चित्रलेखा वचोऽब्रवीत्

Transliteration

kūṣmāṃḍatanayā tatra śaṃkaraṃ spraṣṭumutsahe | ahaṃ gaurīsurūpeṇa citralekhā vaco'bravīt

Translation

There, the daughter of Kūṣmāṇḍa said, “I am able to touch Śaṅkara.” Then Citralekhā, assuming the beautiful form of Gaurī, spoke these words.

Word by Word

• कूष्माण्डतनया: the daughter of Kūṣmāṇḍa
• कूष्माण्डतनया: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कूष्माण्ड + तनया (प्रातिपदिकौ)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (कूष्माण्डस्य तनया: daughter of Kūṣmāṇḍa); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक (there)

• शंकरम्: Śaṅkara
• शंकरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शंकर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन (Śaṅkara)

• स्प्रष्टुम्: to touch
• स्प्रष्टुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्पृश् (धातु)
• Form: तुमुनन्त (infinitive); (to touch)

• उत्सहे: I dare
• उत्सहे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उत्सह् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन, आत्मनेपद (I dare/am able)

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तमपुरुषवाचक सर्वनाम; प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन

• गौरीसुरूपेण: in the form of Gaurī
• गौरीसुरूपेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गौरी + सुरूप (प्रातिपदिकौ)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (गौर्याः सुरूपम्: the beautiful form of Gaurī / in Gaurī’s form); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, एकवचन (instrumental: by/with/in the form)

• चित्रलेखा: Citralekhā
• चित्रलेखा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चित्रलेखा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन (proper name)

• वचः: words
• वचः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन (speech/words)

• अब्रवीत्: said
• अब्रवीत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (अनद्यतनभूत/imperf.), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the episode; the direct speech is by the daughter of Kūṣmāṇḍa, followed by Citralekhā)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Gaurī

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati
• Shankara
• Gauri
• Citralekha
• Kushmanda

FAQs

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

It highlights that approaching Śiva is not merely physical proximity but depends on inner fitness; the appearance of Gaurī’s form underscores Śiva’s inseparable śakti and the need for reverence rather than pride.

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

The verse frames Śaṅkara as personally present (Saguna), yet protected by divine order; in Linga-worship too, one approaches with purity and devotion, recognizing Śiva with Śakti (Gaurī) as the living reality behind the symbol.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Adopt humility and śuddhi (purity) before worship—mentally invoke Śiva with Śakti, recite the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and approach the shrine with disciplined restraint rather than ego-driven bravado.