Shloka 42

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

Devanagari script

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्युक्तं परमेशेन पार्थदार्ढ्यपरीक्षया । सर्वथार्जुनरक्षार्थं धृतरूपेण शंभुना

Transliteration

nandīśvara uvāca | ityuktaṃ parameśena pārthadārḍhyaparīkṣayā | sarvathārjunarakṣārthaṃ dhṛtarūpeṇa śaṃbhunā

Translation

Nandīśvara said: Thus was it spoken by the Supreme Lord, to test the steadfastness of Pārtha (Arjuna). Indeed, Śambhu—having assumed a fitting form—did so wholly for the protection of Arjuna.

Word by Word

• नन्दीश्वरः: Nandīśvara
• नन्दीश्वरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नन्दीश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः नन्दिन् + ईश्वर (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः)

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/quotative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण-सूचक अव्यय

• उक्तम्: was said/spoken
• उक्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• परमेशेन: by the Supreme Lord
• परमेशेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परमेश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; समासः परमः ईशः (कर्मधारयः)

• पार्थदार्ढ्यपरीक्षया: as a test of Pārtha’s firmness
• पार्थदार्ढ्यपरीक्षया: Hetu (हेतु/निमित्त)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्थ + दार्ढ्य + परीक्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; समासः पार्थस्य दार्ढ्यस्य परीक्षा (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः; बहुपद-समास)

• सर्वथा: in every way
• सर्वथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक अव्यय (in every way)

• अर्जुनरक्षार्थम्: for the purpose of protecting Arjuna
• अर्जुनरक्षार्थम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्जुन + रक्षा + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः अर्जुनस्य रक्षायाः अर्थः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः)

• धृतरूपेण: in an assumed form
• धृतरूपेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धृत + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; समासः धृतं रूपं येन/यत् (उपपद-तत्पुरुषः; ‘assumed-form’)

• शंभुना: by Śambhu (Śiva)
• शंभुना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शंभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

Speaker

Nandīśvara (Nandin)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Nandi
• Arjuna

FAQs

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

It teaches that Śiva’s “tests” are compassionate: He examines a devotee’s inner firmness (dārḍhya) not to harm, but to purify resolve and then extend divine protection and grace.

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

The verse highlights Saguna Śiva—Śambhu deliberately assuming a form (dhṛta-rūpa) to interact with and safeguard His devotee, showing that the formless Absolute also becomes approachable through worship and divine līlā.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Cultivate steadfast bhakti and śaraṇāgati (refuge) through daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and contemplative remembrance that Śiva’s guidance may appear as a test meant for protection.