Shloka 53

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

Devanagari script

दुग्धदध्याज्यमधुनामर्णवाश्च सहस्रशः । भक्ष्यभोज्यादिवस्तूनामर्णवाश्चाखिला स्तथा

Transliteration

dugdhadadhyājyamadhunāmarṇavāśca sahasraśaḥ | bhakṣyabhojyādivastūnāmarṇavāścākhilā stathā

Translation

There were, by the thousands, ocean-like abundances of milk, curd, ghee, and honey; likewise there were limitless “oceans” of every kind of edible and prepared food as well.

Word by Word

• दुग्ध-दधि-आज्य-मधूनाम्: of milk, curd, ghee and honey
• दुग्ध-दधि-आज्य-मधूनाम्: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुग्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + दधि (प्रातिपदिक) + आज्य (प्रातिपदिक) + मधु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्वः, ‘of milk, curd, ghee, and honey’

• अर्णवाः: oceans (vast quantities)
• अर्णवाः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्णव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Coordinator)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• सहस्रशः: by thousands; innumerably
• सहस्रशः: विशेषण (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सहस्रशस् (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of manner/measure)

• भक्ष्य-भोज्य-आदि-वस्तूनाम्: of items like eatables and foods
• भक्ष्य-भोज्य-आदि-वस्तूनाम्: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्ष्य (प्रातिपदिक) + भोज्य (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + वस्तु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन; ‘भक्ष्यभोज्यादि’ इति तत्पुरुष-समासः (आदि-समास/‘etc.’)

• अर्णवाः: oceans (vast quantities)
• अर्णवाः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्णव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Coordinator)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• अखिलाः: all; entire
• अखिलाः: विशेषण (Adjectival modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अखिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifies ‘अर्णवाः’)

• तथा: likewise; also
• तथा: विशेषण (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: ‘thus/likewise’)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Annapūrṇā

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It portrays bhakti as fullness and self-giving: the devotee offers the best sustenance in vast measure, symbolizing inner abundance and surrender to Pati (Śiva), who receives offerings not for need but to uplift the paśu toward grace.

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

Milk, curd, ghee, and honey are classic substances for Liṅga-abhiṣeka and naivedya, expressing Saguna devotion—approaching Śiva with form, rite, and reverence—while remembering He remains beyond form (Nirguṇa) and yet compassionately accessible.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests Śiva-pūjā with abhiṣeka using pañcāmṛta-like substances and offering naivedya; inwardly, pair the act with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) as a discipline of purity, gratitude, and surrender.