Shloka 5

Vṛṣeśākhya-Śivāvatāra and the Initiation of the Kṣīrasāgara-Manthana

Churning of the Milk Ocean

Devanagari script

तदा नभोगता वाणी मेघगम्भीरनिस्वना । उवाच देवान्दैत्यांश्च श्वासयन्तीश्वराज्ञया

Transliteration

tadā nabhogatā vāṇī meghagambhīranisvanā | uvāca devāndaityāṃśca śvāsayantīśvarājñayā

Translation

Then a voice resounding in the sky—deep and thunderous like a cloud—spoke to both the Devas and the Daityas, calming and steadying them by the command of the Supreme Lord (Īśvara).

Word by Word

• तदा: then
• तदा: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (temporal adverb)

• नभः-गता: gone into the sky / sky-borne
• नभः-गता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नभस् (प्रातिपदिक) + गत (कृदन्त, गम्-धातु)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (past participle) ‘गता’; विशेषण

• वाणी: a voice
• वाणी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• मेघ-गम्भीर-निस्वना: having a sound deep like thunderclouds
• मेघ-गम्भीर-निस्वना: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मेघ (प्रातिपदिक) + गम्भीर (प्रातिपदिक) + निस्वन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying वाणी)

• उवाच: said/spoke
• उवाच: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• देवान्: the gods
• देवान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन

• दैत्यान्: the demons (Daityas)
• दैत्यान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दैत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

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

• श्वासयन्ती: causing to breathe/comforting, reassuring
• श्वासयन्ती: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्वासय् (धातु, causative of श्वस्)
• Form: वर्तमाने कृदन्त (present active participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (वाणी)

• ईश्वर-आज्ञया: by the command of the Lord
• ईश्वर-आज्ञया: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक) + आज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन

Speaker

A divine disembodied voice (ākāśavāṇī) speaking under Lord Shiva (Īśvara)'s command

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Īśāna

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Divine intervention via ākāśavāṇī under Īśvara’s command

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Devas
• Daityas

FAQs

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

It highlights Īśvara (Shiva) as the supreme governor (Pati) whose command can pacify even cosmic hostility; spiritually, it points to surrender to Shiva’s will as the source of steadiness and fearlessness.

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

The thunder-like sky-voice reflects Saguna Shiva’s accessible governance in the world—his grace and command manifest to protect dharma; Linga-worship similarly trains the devotee to recognize Shiva’s living presence guiding and restraining the mind.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with breath-settling attention (prāṇa-śamana), seeking Shiva’s ājñā for inner calm—optionally supported by Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrāksha as Shaiva aids.