Shloka 43

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

Devanagari script

तद्विसृष्टमघोरास्त्रं नन्दीश्वरनियो गतः । जगृहे मन्यतः क्षिप्तं नन्दी शंकरवल्लभम्

Transliteration

tadvisṛṣṭamaghorāstraṃ nandīśvaraniyo gataḥ | jagṛhe manyataḥ kṣiptaṃ nandī śaṃkaravallabham

Translation

When the Aghora-weapon was released, Nandī—moved by Nandīśvara’s command—stepped forth and seized it, though it had been hurled in wrath; for Nandī is Śaṅkara’s beloved attendant.

Word by Word

• तत्: that
• तत्: कर्म-विशेषण (Qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन; ‘that’ referring to the weapon

• विसृष्टम्: released / discharged
• विसृष्टम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि + √सृज् (धातु) → विसृष्ट (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; modifies ‘अघोरास्त्रम्’ = released

• अघोर-अस्त्रम्: the Aghora weapon
• अघोर-अस्त्रम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अघोर (प्रातिपदिक) + अस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (determinative): अघोरस्य अस्त्रम्; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; कर्म (object)

• नन्दीश्वर-नियः: appointed by Nandīśvara
• नन्दीश्वर-नियः: कर्ता-विशेषण (Qualifier of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नन्दीश्वर (प्रातिपदिक) + निय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास: नन्दीश्वरस्य नियः (one appointed/commissioned by Nandīśvara); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; qualifies implied subject (he)

• गतः: went
• गतः: क्रिया (Predicative action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √गम् (धातु) → गत (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past participle used predicatively); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘went/approached’

• जगृहे: seized / took
• जगृहे: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ग्रह् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), आत्मनेपद (Ātmanepada), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; ‘took/seized’

• मन्यतः: of the one who thought/considered
• मन्यतः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मन्यत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन; ‘of the one who thinks/considers’ (agent whose weapon was thrown)

• क्षिप्तम्: thrown
• क्षिप्तम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √क्षिप् (धातु) → क्षिप्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; modifies ‘अस्त्रम्’ = thrown

• नन्दी: Nandī
• नन्दी: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नन्दिन्/नन्दी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• शंकर-वल्लभम्: (that which is) dear to Śaṅkara
• शंकर-वल्लभम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शंकर (प्रातिपदिक) + वल्लभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास: शंकरस्य वल्लभः (beloved of Śaṅkara); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; apposition to ‘अघोरास्त्रम्’ as object seized

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Nandi
• Nandishvara
• Aghora Astra

FAQs

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

It highlights the Shaiva ideal that unwavering bhakti and obedience to the Lord’s divine order neutralize fear and hostility—Nandī’s devotion becomes the power that contains a destructive force.

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

Nandī embodies service to Saguna Shiva—approaching Shiva through His manifest presence, attendants, and sacred symbols (including Nandī before the Linga) cultivates surrender, reverence, and steadiness of mind.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice Shiva-bhakti with disciplined restraint: offer pranāma to Nandī before Linga-worship, repeat the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and meditate on Aghora as Shiva’s fear-transcending grace that pacifies inner anger.