Shloka 15

Śiva–Arjuna Yuddha and the Subjugation of Pride (Śiva-parīkṣā)

Devanagari script

पश्चाद्विहस्य तत्रैव शंकरो रूपम द्भुतम् । दर्शयामास सहसा भक्तवश्यतया शुभम्

Transliteration

paścādvihasya tatraiva śaṃkaro rūpama dbhutam | darśayāmāsa sahasā bhaktavaśyatayā śubham

Translation

Thereafter, right there, Śaṅkara smiled playfully and at once revealed an astonishing, auspicious form—because He was conquered by devotion.

Word by Word

• पश्चात्: afterwards
• पश्चात्: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पश्चात् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (temporal adverb)

• विहस्य: having laughed
• विहस्य: क्रियाविशेषण (Kriyāviśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-हस् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त/ल्यबन्त अव्ययकृदन्त; तुमुन्-समकक्ष (gerund); ‘having laughed’

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (locative adverb)

• एव: indeed/just
• एव: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निश्चय/अवधारणार्थक निपात (particle of emphasis)

• शंकरः: Śaṅkara (Śiva)
• शंकरः: कर्ता (Kartā)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शंकर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• रूपम्: form
• रूपम्: कर्म (Karma)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• अद्भुतम्: marvellous
• अद्भुतम्: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अद्भुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying ‘रूपम्’)

• दर्शयामास: showed
• दर्शयामास: क्रिया (Kriyā)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु) + णिच् (causative)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; णिजन्त (causative)

• सहसा: suddenly
• सहसा: क्रियाविशेषण (Kriyāviśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सहसा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• भक्त-वश्यतया: by (his) being controlled by devotion/devotees
• भक्त-वश्यतया: करण (Karaṇa)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्त (प्रातिपदिक) + वश्यता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (भक्तानां वश्यता = being under devotees’ control)

• शुभम्: auspicious
• शुभम्: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying ‘रूपम्’)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It highlights Śiva’s bhakta-vaśyatā—His compassionate responsiveness to sincere devotion—through which He grants direct darśana (revelation) of His auspicious form, strengthening the devotee’s path toward liberation.

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

While the Linga points to the transcendent (nirguṇa) reality, this verse emphasizes Śiva’s saguna grace: for devotees, the formless Lord also willingly becomes perceivable as a wondrous form, granting experiential confirmation of worship.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Cultivate steady bhakti with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and seek Śiva’s darśana through focused meditation; the key teaching is heartfelt devotion that invites divine revelation.