Shloka 39

Arjuna’s Mantra-Empowerment and the Pāṇḍavas’ Separation (Śiva-rūpa through Mantra)

Devanagari script

स वृद्धब्राह्मणो भूत्वा ब्रह्मचारी शचीपतिः । जगाम तत्र विप्रेन्द्र परीक्षार्थं हि तस्य वै

Transliteration

sa vṛddhabrāhmaṇo bhūtvā brahmacārī śacīpatiḥ | jagāma tatra viprendra parīkṣārthaṃ hi tasya vai

Translation

O best of Brahmins, Śacī’s lord (Indra) assumed the form of an aged brāhmaṇa and a brahmacārin, and went there indeed—solely to test him.

Word by Word

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; pronoun (सर्वनाम)

• vṛddha-brāhmaṇaḥ: an old brāhmaṇa
• vṛddha-brāhmaṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛddha + brāhmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; कर्मधारयः—‘वृद्धः ब्राह्मणः’

• bhūtvā: having become
• bhūtvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/पूर्वकर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (भू धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यबन्त), ‘having become’ (पूर्वकालिक क्रिया)

• brahmacārī: a celibate student (brahmacārin)
• brahmacārī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahmacārin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• śacī-patiḥ: Śacī’s husband (Indra)
• śacī-patiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śacī + pati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—‘शच्याः पतिः’ (Indra)

• jagāma: went
• jagāma: Kriyā (मुख्यक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gam (गम् धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); parasmaipada

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb of place (देशवाचक)

• vipra-indra: O best of brāhmaṇas
• vipra-indra: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vipra + indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular; संबोधन-तत्पुरुषः—‘विप्राणाम् इन्द्रः’ (O best of brāhmaṇas)

• parīkṣā-artham: for the purpose of testing
• parīkṣā-artham: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/उद्देश्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parīkṣā + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; purpose-accusative; समासः—परीक्षार्थ (तत्पुरुषः: ‘परीक्षायै अर्थः’)

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), particle (निपात) giving emphasis/indeed

• tasya: of him; his
• tasya: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter (पुं/नपुं), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; pronoun

• vai: certainly
• vai: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), emphatic particle (निपात)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Rudra

Characters & Entities

• Indra
• Shachi

FAQs

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

It shows that spiritual maturity is proven through testing—outer appearances can be deceptive, and true dharma is revealed when one remains steady in purity, humility, and devotion despite challenges.

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

In Shaiva narratives, such tests refine the devotee’s inner fitness (adhikāra) for Saguna Shiva worship—Linga-pūjā is not merely ritual, but requires integrity, self-restraint, and unwavering bhakti when confronted by trials.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The verse highlights brahmacarya (sense-restraint) as a core sādhana; practically, one may support this with daily japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and disciplined conduct, treating tests as opportunities for inner purification.