Shloka 27

शिवस्यार्द्धनारीनरावतारवर्णनम्

Description of Shiva’s Ardhanārī-nara Manifestation

Devanagari script

तामाज्ञां परमेशस्य शिरसा प्रतिगृह्य सा । ब्रह्मणो वचनाद्देवी दक्षस्य दुहिताभवत्

Transliteration

tāmājñāṃ parameśasya śirasā pratigṛhya sā | brahmaṇo vacanāddevī dakṣasya duhitābhavat

Translation

Bowing her head, she received the command of the Supreme Lord, Parameśa; and by Brahmā’s word, that Goddess became the daughter of Dakṣa.

Word by Word

• ताम्: that
• ताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन

• आज्ञाम्: command
• आज्ञाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन

• परमेशस्य: of the Supreme Lord
• परमेशस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परमेश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive), एकवचन

• शिरसा: with (her) head
• शिरसा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन

• प्रतिगृह्य: having accepted
• प्रतिगृह्य: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति-ग्रह् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त—ल्यप् (Absolutive/Gerund), अव्ययभाव

• सा: she
• सा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन

• ब्रह्मणः: of Brahmā
• ब्रह्मणः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive), एकवचन

• वचनात्: from the word/command
• वचनात्: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन

• देवी: the Goddess
• देवी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन; (सा) apposition

• दक्षस्य: of Dakṣa
• दक्षस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive), एकवचन

• दुहिता: daughter
• दुहिता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुहितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन

• अभवत्: became
• अभवत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purāṇic account to the sages, consistent with Śiva Purāṇa dialogue flow)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Satī

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Parameshvara)
• Devi (Sati)
• Brahma
• Daksha

FAQs

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

It highlights śaraṇāgati (reverent surrender): the Goddess accepts Parameśvara’s will, showing that divine incarnation and cosmic events unfold through obedience to Śiva’s higher order.

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

By naming Śiva as Parameśvara whose command is supreme, the verse supports Saguna devotion—worshiping Śiva as the personal Lord who guides creation and incarnations, the same Lord approached through Liṅga-upāsanā.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is humility and acceptance before Śiva—mentally “bowing the head” while repeating the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) as an offering of one’s will to Parameśvara.