Shloka 52

Vṛṣeśākhya-Śivāvatāra and the Initiation of the Kṣīrasāgara-Manthana

Churning of the Milk Ocean

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मोवाच । देवदेव महादेव लोकान्रक्षाखिलान्प्रभो । उपद्रुतान्विष्णुपुत्रैः पातालस्थैर्विकारिभिः

Transliteration

brahmovāca | devadeva mahādeva lokānrakṣākhilānprabho | upadrutānviṣṇuputraiḥ pātālasthairvikāribhiḥ

Translation

Brahmā said: O God of gods, O Mahādeva, O Lord—protect all the worlds. They are being afflicted by the sons of Viṣṇu, who dwell in Pātāla and are prone to violent, distorted changes.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मा: Brahmā
• ब्रह्मा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative, 1st), एकवचन (singular)

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular)

• देवदेव: O god of gods
• देवदेव: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव + देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), सम्बोधन (Vocative, 8th), एकवचन (singular)

• महादेव: O Mahādeva
• महादेव: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), सम्बोधन (Vocative, 8th), एकवचन (singular)

• लोकान्: worlds; beings
• लोकान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd), बहुवचन (plural)

• रक्ष: protect
• रक्ष: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: रक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन (singular)

• अखिलान्: all; entire
• अखिलान्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अखिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd), बहुवचन (plural)

• प्रभो: O lord
• प्रभो: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), सम्बोधन (Vocative, 8th), एकवचन (singular)

• उपद्रुतान्: afflicted; harassed
• उपद्रुतान्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उप + द्रु (धातु)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd), बहुवचन (plural)

• विष्णुपुत्रैः: by the sons of Viṣṇu
• विष्णुपुत्रैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु + पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), तृतीया (Instrumental, 3rd), बहुवचन (plural)

• पातालस्थैः: dwelling in the netherworld
• पातालस्थैः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पाताल + स्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), तृतीया (Instrumental, 3rd), बहुवचन (plural)

• विकारिभिः: changeful; perverse
• विकारिभिः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विकारिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), तृतीया (Instrumental, 3rd), बहुवचन (plural)

Speaker

Brahma

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: The petition motif parallels many kṣetra legends where Śiva protects loka-dharma; here it is cosmic (all worlds) rather than site-specific.

Significance: Frames Śiva as lokarakṣaka: the stabilizing Lord whose grace restores order when other divine functions are disturbed by māyā/vikāra.

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma
• Vishnu
• Vishnuputras
• Patala

FAQs

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

The verse portrays Brahmā turning to Mahādeva as the ultimate refuge and protector, highlighting Shiva as Pati—the sovereign Lord who safeguards cosmic order and relieves beings from distress caused by disruptive forces.

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

Brahmā’s direct appeal reflects Saguna Shiva worship—approaching Mahādeva as the compassionate, responsive Lord. In Linga worship, devotees similarly invoke Shiva’s protecting presence to restore harmony and remove afflictions.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is protective japa and prayer to Mahādeva—especially Panchākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya)—along with traditional Shaiva supports like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as aids to steadiness and devotion.