Shloka 11

उपमन्युकुमारस्य क्षीरार्थ-प्रार्थना तथा शिवप्रसाद-निबन्धनम् | Upamanyu’s Longing for Milk and the Doctrine of Shiva’s Grace

Devanagari script

प्रत्युवाच विशोकात्मा मातरं मातृवत्सलः

Transliteration

pratyuvāca viśokātmā mātaraṃ mātṛvatsalaḥ

Translation

The mother-loving one, whose heart was free from sorrow, replied to his mother.

Word by Word

• प्रति: back, in reply
• प्रति: — (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रति (अव्यय)
• Form: उपसर्ग/पूर्वपद-प्रयोगः (prefix/preverb)

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

• विशोकात्मा: the one whose self was free from grief
• विशोकात्मा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वि-शोक-आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा (1st case/nominative), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः/कर्मधारय-प्रायः: ‘विशोकः आत्मा यस्य/विशोक-आत्मा’

• मातरम्: mother
• मातरम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मातृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (feminine), द्वितीया (2nd case/accusative), एकवचन

• मातृवत्सलः: affectionate to (his) mother
• मातृवत्सलः: Karta (कर्ता) — विशेषण (adjective of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मातृ-वात्सल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः: ‘मातृ-वत्सलः’ (affectionate towards mother)

Speaker

A son devoted to his mother (speaker not explicitly named in this single verse; inferred as a male character in the ongoing Shatarudrasaṃhitā narrative)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

FAQs

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

It highlights the Shaiva ideal of inner steadiness—being viśoka (free from grief) through dharma and devotion—while still honoring worldly duties like reverence to one’s mother.

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

In Shaiva Siddhanta, devotion to Saguna Shiva matures the mind into calm clarity; the trait “viśokātmā” reflects the fruit of Shiva-bhakti that supports righteous speech and conduct in relationships.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is cultivating a viśoka mind through daily japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with steady discipline, so one’s words and actions arise from calm devotion rather than agitation.