Shloka 18

साधुवेषद्विजाह्वयावतारकथनम् | Account of the ‘Sādhu-veṣa’ Brahmin-Named Incarnation

Prelude

Devanagari script

तच्छ्रुत्वा देववचनं स्वीचकार महेश्वरः । देवान्सुयापयामास तानाश्वास्य विहस्य सः

Transliteration

tacchrutvā devavacanaṃ svīcakāra maheśvaraḥ | devānsuyāpayāmāsa tānāśvāsya vihasya saḥ

Translation

Hearing the words spoken by the gods, Mahādeva accepted their request. Then, smiling, he consoled the devas and sent them away in peace.

Word by Word

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन (object of श्रुत्वा: that)

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: Kriya (क्रिया) (पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु) → श्रुत्वा (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), ‘having heard’

• देववचनम्: the gods’ words
• देववचनम्: Karma (कर्म) (object of स्वीचकार)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव + वचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: देवानां वचनम्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• स्वीचकार: accepted
• स्वीचकार: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु) उपसर्ग-स्वी → स्वीचकार
• Form: लिट् (perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; ‘accepted’

• महेश्वरः: Mahēśvara
• महेश्वरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महेश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (कर्मधारय: महान् ईश्वरः), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• देवान्: the gods
• देवान्: Karma (कर्म) (object of सुयापयामास)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन

• सुयापयामास: sent/led (them)
• सुयापयामास: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु) उपसर्ग-सम्/सु + णिच् (causative) → सुयापयामास
• Form: लिट् (periphrastic perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; causative sense ‘made (them) go/led’

• तान्: them
• तान्: Karma (कर्म) (object of आश्वास्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन

• आश्वास्य: having consoled
• आश्वास्य: Kriya (क्रिया) (पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्वस् (धातु) उपसर्ग-आ → आश्वास्य (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-समकक्ष अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund in -य), ‘having consoled/encouraged’

• विहस्य: having smiled/laughed
• विहस्य: Kriya (क्रिया) (पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हस् (धातु) उपसर्ग-वि → विहस्य (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-समकक्ष अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund in -य), ‘having laughed/smiled’

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the focus is Śiva’s immediate assent (svīkāra) and reassurance (āśvāsa) to the devas—an archetype of divine grace responding to śaraṇāgati.

Significance: Frames Śiva as bhakta-vatsala and deva-rakṣaka: hearing (śravaṇa) and accepting (svīkāra) the supplication of beings, restoring their confidence and order.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Devas

FAQs

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

It highlights Śiva as Pati (the supreme Lord) whose grace removes fear: he listens, accepts rightful supplication, and restores peace—showing compassionate governance over cosmic order.

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

The verse reflects Saguna Śiva—personally responsive, reassuring, and protective—supporting devotional worship where the devotee approaches Śiva (often via the Liṅga) seeking refuge and stability of mind.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) with japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” cultivating calm trust that Śiva hears and pacifies inner turmoil.