Shloka 18

Arjuna–Gaṇa Saṃvāda: Bāṇādhikāra, Tāpasa-veṣa, and the Ethics of Tapas (अर्जुन-गणसंवादः)

Devanagari script

ईदृशांश्च बहून्बाणांस्तदा दातुं क्षमः स्वयम् । राजा च वर्तते मेऽद्य किं त्वेवं याच्यते त्वया

Transliteration

īdṛśāṃśca bahūnbāṇāṃstadā dātuṃ kṣamaḥ svayam | rājā ca vartate me'dya kiṃ tvevaṃ yācyate tvayā

Translation

“I myself am able to grant many arrows of this kind. Moreover, the king is with me today—so why do you ask me in this manner?”

Word by Word

• ईदृशान्: such
• ईदृशान्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ईदृश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (Accusative plural: such)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (and)

• बहून्: many
• बहून्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (Accusative plural: many)

• बाणान्: arrows
• बाणान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (Accusative plural)

• तदा: then
• तदा: Kala (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक (adverb of time: then)

• दातुम्: to give
• दातुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/उद्देश्य)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √दा (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (infinitive); प्रयोजनार्थ (to give)

• क्षमः: capable
• क्षमः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्षम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (capable)

• स्वयम्: himself
• स्वयम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वयम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; आत्मवाचक (reflexive adverb: oneself)

• राजा: the king
• राजा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Nominative singular)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (and)

• वर्तते: is present/exists
• वर्तते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वृत् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present); प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद (exists/is present)

• मे: for me/my
• मे: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी/चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन (enclitic: my/to me); अत्र षष्ठी (with ‘अद्य’: ‘in my case/for me’)

• अद्य: today/now
• अद्य: Kala (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अद्य (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक (today/now)

• किम्: why/what
• किम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (why/what)

• तु: but
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विरोध/पुनरुक्ति (but/however)

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Prakara (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (thus/in this manner)

• याच्यते: is being requested
• याच्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √याच् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present); प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive): ‘is requested/asked’

• त्वया: by you
• त्वया: Kartr (कर्ता; passive-agent/कर्तृकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Instrumental singular: by you)

Speaker

A royal/warrior figure addressing a petitioner (narrative voice relayed by Sūta Gosvāmin in Śiva Purāṇa)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• King

FAQs

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

The verse highlights discernment and proper intention in seeking help: a seeker should approach the rightful source with humility and clarity, rather than asking inappropriately when authority and means are already present.

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

Indirectly, it echoes a core devotional principle: in Saguna worship one approaches Śiva (the competent giver of grace) in the proper manner—requesting boons through dharmic conduct and reverent petition rather than entitlement.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is disciplined speech and intention (saṃyama) before prayer—begin requests after centering the mind with japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” then ask only what supports dharma.