Shloka 4

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

Kirātākhyam-avatāra; Pāṇḍava-prasaṅga

Devanagari script

छलार्थं प्रेरितस्तेन दुर्वासा मुनिपुङ्गवः । सुयोधनेन विप्रेन्द्र पाण्डवान्तिकमादरात्

Transliteration

chalārthaṃ preritastena durvāsā munipuṅgavaḥ | suyodhanena viprendra pāṇḍavāntikamādarāt

Translation

O best of Brāhmaṇas, the foremost sage Durvāsā—sent by Suyodhana with the intention of deceit—went respectfully to the Pāṇḍavas’ dwelling.

Word by Word

• छलार्थम्: for the sake of deceit
• छलार्थम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: छल-अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; प्रयोजनार्थे (accusative of purpose)

• प्रेरितः: impelled/sent
• प्रेरितः: Karta (कर्ता) विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र-√ईर्/√इर् (धातु) क्त-प्रत्ययान्त
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (sent/impelled)

• तेन: by him
• तेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• दुर्वासाः: Durvāsā
• दुर्वासाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुर्वासा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• मुनिपुङ्गवः: best of sages
• मुनिपुङ्गवः: Karta (कर्ता) अपपद/विशेषण
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि-पुङ्गव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; उपाधिवाचक (best of sages)

• सुयोधनेन: by Suyodhana
• सुयोधनेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुयोधन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• विप्रेन्द्र: O best of brāhmaṇas
• विप्रेन्द्र: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र-इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन; संबोधन

• पाण्डव-अन्तिकम्: to the Pāṇḍavas' vicinity
• पाण्डव-अन्तिकम्: Karma (कर्म) / Gati (गति)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाण्डव-अन्तिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; गत्यर्थक क्रियायाः कर्म/देश (to the vicinity of the Pāṇḍavas)

• आदरात्: out of respect/eagerness
• आदरात्: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आदर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; हेतौ (ablative of cause)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga narrative; it introduces a ‘test’ via Durvāsā’s arrival—an instrument of concealment/pressure that precipitates reliance on divine grace.

Significance: Teaches vigilance in dharma (atithi-satkara) and the spiritual use of crisis to intensify surrender to Pati.

Characters & Entities

• Durvasa
• Suyodhana (Duryodhana)
• Pandavas

FAQs

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

It highlights that outward respect can conceal inner deceit; Shaiva dharma emphasizes purity of intention (bhāva-śuddhi), without which actions become binding and disruptive.

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

It contrasts hypocrisy with true devotion: Saguna Shiva worship (Linga-pūjā) is meant to purify motives and align one’s will with dharma, not to support ego-driven schemes.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice self-examination before worship—offer the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with sincere intent, and maintain inner truthfulness alongside external ritual purity.