Shloka 7

अवधूतेश्वरलीला (Avadhūteśvara-līlā) — Śiva Tests Indra’s Pride on the Way to Kailāsa

Devanagari script

अथ शक्रो मुनेऽपृच्छत्स्वाधिकारेण दुर्मदः । पुरुषं तं स्वमार्गान्तः स्थितमज्ञाय शंकरम्

Transliteration

atha śakro mune'pṛcchatsvādhikāreṇa durmadaḥ | puruṣaṃ taṃ svamārgāntaḥ sthitamajñāya śaṃkaram

Translation

Then Śakra (Indra), intoxicated with pride in his own authority, questioned the sage, not recognizing that the Person standing at the end of his very path was Śaṅkara (Lord Śiva).

Word by Word

• atha: then
• atha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: आरम्भ/अनन्तर-अव्यय (discourse particle: ‘then/now’)

• śakraḥ: Śakra (Indra)
• śakraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śakra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• muneḥ: of the sage / O sage
• muneḥ: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (सम्बोधनार्थे/आमन्त्रण-प्रयोगे) ‘O sage’ अर्थे

• apṛcchat: asked
• apṛcchat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: praś (पृच्छ् धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• sva-adhikāreṇa: by his own authority
• sva-adhikāreṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + adhikāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘स्वस्य अधिकारः’ (one’s own authority); करण/हेतु-प्रयोग (by/through)

• durmadaḥ: arrogant
• durmadaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: durmada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• puruṣam: the man
• puruṣam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puruṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• tam: that (one)
• tam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• sva-mārga-antaḥ: within his own path
• sva-mārga-antaḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + mārga (प्रातिपदिक) + anta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘स्वस्य मार्गस्य अन्तः’ (within the end/inside of his own path); स्थानवाचक

• sthitam: standing
• sthitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sthā (स्था धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘standing/placed’ (puruṣam…sthitam)

• ajñāya: not knowing
• ajñāya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: jñā (ज्ञा धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund) with privative a-: ‘not knowing/without recognizing’

• śaṃkaram: Śaṅkara (Śiva)
• śaṃkaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaṃkara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; apposition to puruṣam

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• Indra (Shakra)
• Shiva (Shankara)
• Sage (Muni)

FAQs

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

It shows that worldly or celestial authority (adhikāra) can intensify ahaṅkāra (ego), which veils true discernment; Śiva, the supreme Pati, may stand directly before one, yet remain unrecognized until humility and grace arise.

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

The verse reflects the Shaiva view that Saguna Shiva can manifest within one’s experience, yet pride prevents recognition; Linga-worship trains the mind to see Śiva as the indwelling Reality beyond status, form, and jurisdiction.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is daily japa of the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with a humility-vow, supported by Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders to dissolve ego and recognize Śiva’s presence.