Shloka 2

Vṛṣeśākhya-Śivāvatāra and the Initiation of the Kṣīrasāgara-Manthana

Churning of the Milk Ocean

Devanagari script

पुरा देवासुराः सर्वे जरामृत्युभयार्दिताः । परस्परं च संधाय रत्नान्यादित्सवोऽभवन्

Transliteration

purā devāsurāḥ sarve jarāmṛtyubhayārditāḥ | parasparaṃ ca saṃdhāya ratnānyāditsavo'bhavan

Translation

In ancient times, all the Devas and Asuras—afflicted by the fear of old age and death—entered into a mutual pact with one another, and a strong desire arose in them to obtain the divine treasures (ratnas).

Word by Word

• पुरा: formerly; once
• पुरा: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुरा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (temporal adverb)

• देव-असुराः: gods and demons
• देव-असुराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक) + असुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (देवाश्च असुराश्च)

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण of देव-असुराः

• जरा-मृत्यु-भय-आर्दिताः: afflicted by fear of old age and death
• जरा-मृत्यु-भय-आर्दिताः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जरा (प्रातिपदिक) + मृत्यु (प्रातिपदिक) + भय (प्रातिपदिक) + आर्दित (कृदन्त, क्त; √अर्द् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (जरामृत्योः भयेन आर्दिताः = ‘afflicted by fear of old age and death’)

• परस्परम्: mutually; with one another
• परस्परम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: परस्पर (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययीभावप्राय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (reciprocal adverb)

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

• संधाय: having made (an alliance); having joined together
• संधाय: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-√धा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund/absolutive); ‘having joined/formed (an agreement)’

• रत्नानि: gems; treasures
• रत्नानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रत्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• आदित्सवः: desiring to obtain (take)
• आदित्सवः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आ-√दा (धातु) → आदित्सु (इच्छार्थक/Desiderative stem) + अ (प्रातिपदिक/nominal)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; इच्छार्थक (desiderative) adjective ‘wishing to take’ qualifying देव-असुराः

• अभवन्: became; were
• अभवन्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भू (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Asuras

FAQs

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

It highlights the universal bondage of jīvas to fear, decay, and death, showing that even powerful beings seek lasting refuge—ultimately pointing toward Shiva (Pati) as the giver of liberation beyond mortality.

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

The longing for imperishable ‘treasure’ foreshadows turning from worldly gains to Shiva’s grace; Linga-worship of Saguna Shiva is presented in the Purana as a direct, accessible means to seek protection and liberation from saṃsāra.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Contemplate impermanence (jara-mṛtyu) and take up Shiva-upāsanā—especially japa of the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—as the inner discipline for transcending fear and seeking the highest refuge.