Shloka 32

Vṛṣeśākhya-Śivāvatāra and the Initiation of the Kṣīrasāgara-Manthana

Churning of the Milk Ocean

Devanagari script

ततस्तदमृतं यत्नात्स्त्रीस्वरूपेण मायया । शिवाज्ञया रमेशेन दैत्येभ्यश्च हृतम्मुने

Transliteration

tatastadamṛtaṃ yatnātstrīsvarūpeṇa māyayā | śivājñayā rameśena daityebhyaśca hṛtammune

Translation

Then, O sage, that nectar of immortality was carefully taken away from the demons by Rameśa (Viṣṇu), who—by Śiva’s command—assumed a womanly form through divine māyā.

Word by Word

• ततः: then/thereupon
• ततः: Deśa-kāla (देश-काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण (referring to amṛta)

• अमृतम्: nectar (amṛta)
• अमृतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अमृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• यत्नात्: with effort
• यत्नात्: Hetu/Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (हेतु/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यत्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; 'with effort/with care' (ablative of source/manner)

• स्त्री-स्वरूपेण: in the form of a woman
• स्त्री-स्वरूपेण: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक) + स्वरूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (striyāḥ svarūpam = form of a woman)

• मायया: by (his) illusion
• मायया: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• शिव-आज्ञया: by Śiva's command
• शिव-आज्ञया: Hetu/Karaṇa (हेतु/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक) + आज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (śivasya ājñā)

• रमेशेन: by Rameśa (Viṣṇu)
• रमेशेन: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रमा (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (ramāyāḥ īśaḥ = Lord of Lakṣmī, Viṣṇu)

• दैत्येभ्यः: from the demons
• दैत्येभ्यः: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दैत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय

• हृतम्: was taken away
• हृतम्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (PPP), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगे 'was taken away' (with अमृतम् understood as object)

• मुने: O sage
• मुने: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Īśāna

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Vishnu (Ramesha)
• Daityas

FAQs

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

The verse highlights Śiva as the supreme regulator (Pati) whose command directs even great divine powers; liberation and cosmic order are protected when beings align with Śiva’s will rather than egoic grasping.

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

It supports Saguna Śiva devotion by portraying Śiva as the personal Lord who issues decisive commands for dharma’s preservation; Linga-worship centers on surrender to this sovereign, compassionate governance.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with the attitude of śaraṇāgati (refuge in Śiva), recognizing māyā as under Śiva’s control and seeking steadiness beyond deception.