Shloka 18

Kirātāvatāra, Durvāsā-upākhyāna, and the Logic of Divine Rescue

Kirātākhyam-avatāra; Pāṇḍava-prasaṅga

Devanagari script

पाण्डवा अथ भिल्लं च प्रेषयामासुरोजसा । गुणानां च परीक्षार्थं तस्य दुर्योधनस्य च

Transliteration

pāṇḍavā atha bhillaṃ ca preṣayāmāsurojasā | guṇānāṃ ca parīkṣārthaṃ tasya duryodhanasya ca

Translation

Then the Pāṇḍavas, with vigorous resolve, sent the Bhilla as a messenger, so that Duryodhana’s qualities and intentions might be tested and ascertained.

Word by Word

• पाण्डवाः: the Pāṇḍavas
• पाण्डवाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाण्डव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रम/आरम्भसूचक (sequence/then)

• भिल्लम्: a Bhilla (tribesman)
• भिल्लम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भिल्ल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक (conjunction)

• प्रेषयामासुः: they sent
• प्रेषयामासुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-इष् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन

• ओजसा: with vigor/force
• ओजसा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ओजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• गुणानाम्: of qualities
• गुणानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक (conjunction)

• परीक्षार्थम्: for the purpose of testing
• परीक्षार्थम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: परीक्षा + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी/उद्देश्यभावः); अव्ययभावे द्वितीया-एकवचनरूपेण प्रयुक्तम् (used adverbially: 'for the purpose of')

• तस्य: of him
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• दुर्योधनस्य: of Duryodhana
• दुर्योधनस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुर्योधन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक (conjunction)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

• Pandavas
• Bhilla
• Duryodhana

FAQs

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

It highlights viveka (discernment): before acting, one should test intentions and character (guṇa). In a Shaiva lens, clear discernment supports dharma and reduces bondage (pāśa) born of impulse and delusion.

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

Though not explicitly about the Liṅga, the verse reflects Saguna Shiva’s guidance through dharmic order: devotees emulate steadiness, truth-testing, and restraint—qualities cultivated through Shiva-bhakti and disciplined conduct.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is daily self-examination (svādhyāya) and japa with the Pañcākṣarī—"Om Namaḥ Śivāya"—to purify one’s guṇas, strengthen discernment, and act without agitation.