Shloka 60

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

Kirātākhyam-avatāra; Pāṇḍava-prasaṅga

Devanagari script

परन्तु प्रथमं शक्रविद्यां दृढमना जपेत् । क्षत्रियस्य पराख्यस्य चेदमेव समाहितम्

Transliteration

parantu prathamaṃ śakravidyāṃ dṛḍhamanā japet | kṣatriyasya parākhyasya cedameva samāhitam

Translation

However, first one should, with a firm and focused mind, recite the Śakra-vidyā, Indra’s sacred mantra. This very practice is prescribed here as the settled rule for the renowned Kṣatriya, the royal warrior.

Word by Word

• परन्तु: but, however
• परन्तु: Discourse connector (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: परन्तु (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/particle (समुच्चय/विरोधार्थक निपात)

• प्रथमम्: first(ly)
• प्रथमम्: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रथम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverbial accusative (क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण द्वितीया-एकवचन)

• शक्रविद्याम्: the Śakra-vidyā (Indra’s spell/knowledge)
• शक्रविद्याम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक्र + विद्या (प्रातिपदिक); components: शक्र (प्रातिपदिक) + विद्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (शक्रस्य विद्या)

• दृढमना: one whose mind is firm
• दृढमना: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दृढ + मनस् (प्रातिपदिक); components: दृढ (विशेषण-प्रातिपदिक) + मनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); बहुव्रीहि: 'दृढं मनः यस्य सः'

• जपेत्: should recite
• जपेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √जप् (जपे धातु)
• Form: Optative/विधिलिङ्, Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Singular

• क्षत्रियस्य: of the Kṣatriya
• क्षत्रियस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षत्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• पराख्यस्य: named 'Para' / renowned as Para
• पराख्यस्य: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पराख्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• चेत्: if
• चेत्: Discourse connector (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: चेत् (अव्यय)
• Form: Conditional particle (शर्तार्थक निपात)

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Emphasis (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle/emphasis (निपात)

• समाहितम्: is established/settled
• समाहितम्: Predicate (विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: समाहित (कृदन्त; सम्-आ-√धा धारणे धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Characters & Entities

• Shakra (Indra)

FAQs

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

It highlights disciplined japa as a foundational spiritual tool: steadiness of mind (dṛḍha-manā) is presented as the key that makes mantra effective, aligning the practitioner’s will and conduct with dharma.

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

Even when a specific vidyā is named here, the Shiva Purana’s broader Shaiva frame treats mantra-discipline as supportive of Saguna worship—preparing the mind for devotion, ritual focus, and ultimately Shiva-oriented realization.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Perform mantra-japa of the Śakra-vidyā as a preliminary practice, done with firm concentration; the takeaway is sustained, attentive repetition rather than mechanical chanting.