Shloka 1

Śivāṣṭamūrti-varṇanam

Description of Shiva’s Eight Forms

Devanagari script

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । शृणु तात महेशस्यावतारान्परमान्प्रभो । सर्वकार्यकरांल्लोके सर्वस्य सुखदान्मुने

Transliteration

nandīśvara uvāca | śṛṇu tāta maheśasyāvatārānparamānprabho | sarvakāryakarāṃlloke sarvasya sukhadānmune

Translation

Nandīśvara said: “Listen, dear one—O noble lord. I shall speak of the supreme descents (avatāras) of Maheśa, who accomplish every undertaking in the world and bestow well-being and joy upon all, O sage.”

Word by Word

• नन्दीश्वरः: Nandīśvara
• नन्दीश्वरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nandīśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषसमासः (नन्दिनः ईश्वरः); पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकारः (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd), एकवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

• शृणु: listen
• शृणु: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śru (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकारः (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुषः (2nd), एकवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

• तात: dear one/son
• तात: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tāta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, सम्बोधन-विभक्तिः (Vocative), एकवचनम्

• महेशस्य: of Maheśa
• महेशस्य: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maheśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, षष्ठी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• अवतारान्: incarnations
• अवतारान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: avatāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• परमान्: supreme
• परमान्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम् (to अवतारान्)

• प्रभो: O lord
• प्रभो: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prabhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, सम्बोधन-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• सर्वकार्यकरान्: accomplishing all tasks
• सर्वकार्यकरान्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + kārya (प्रातिपदिक) + kara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमासः (सर्वाणि कार्याणि करोति इति); पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम् (to अवतारान्)

• लोके: in the world
• लोके: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: loka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः (Locative/7th), एकवचनम्

• सर्वस्य: of all
• सर्वस्य: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्गे, षष्ठी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; सर्वनाम-विशेषणम्

• सुखदान्: granting happiness
• सुखदान्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sukha (प्रातिपदिक) + dā (धातु) → dān (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उपपद-तत्पुरुषसमासः (सुखं ददाति इति); पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम् (to अवतारान्)

• मुने: O sage
• मुने: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, सम्बोधन-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

Speaker

Nandishvara (Nandi)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Nandi

FAQs

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

This verse frames Shiva’s avatāras as compassionate, purposeful manifestations of Pati (the Lord) who remove obstacles, fulfill righteous aims, and ultimately guide beings toward liberation through grace.

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

By introducing Shiva’s avatāras, the text emphasizes Saguna Shiva—worship of the Lord with form—while implying that these forms arise from the same supreme reality revered in the Linga, making Linga-upāsanā and devotion to Shiva’s manifestations mutually supportive.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is śravaṇa (devotional listening) and remembrance of Shiva’s divine acts; this is naturally paired with japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to seek both worldly auspiciousness and inner freedom.