Shloka 50

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

Devanagari script

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्युक्तश्चार्जुनस्तेन प्रणिपत्य सदाशिवम् । साञ्जलिर्नतकः प्रेम्णा प्रोवाच गद्गदाक्षरम्

Transliteration

nandīśvara uvāca | ityuktaścārjunastena praṇipatya sadāśivam | sāñjalirnatakaḥ premṇā provāca gadgadākṣaram

Translation

Nandīśvara said: Thus addressed by him, Arjuna bowed down to Sadāśiva. With palms joined and head bent in reverence, he spoke with love, his words faltering with emotion.

Word by Word

• नन्दीश्वरः: Nandīśvara
• नन्दीश्वरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नन्दीश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

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

• इति: thus
• इति: Vakya-sambandha (वाक्यसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; वाक्यसमाप्ति/उद्धरणसूचक (quotative particle)

• उक्तः: having been addressed/told
• उक्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु) → उक्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगार्थ (passive sense)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक

• अर्जुनः: Arjuna
• अर्जुनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्जुन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तेन: by him
• तेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• प्रणिपत्य: having bowed down
• प्रणिपत्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-नम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Gerund/Absolutive), अव्ययभाव; पूर्वक्रिया

• सदाशिवम्: Sadāśiva
• सदाशिवम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सदा (अव्यय) + शिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—सदाशिव (नाम)

• स-अञ्जलिः: with joined palms
• स-अञ्जलिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अञ्जलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; उपसर्गसदृश 'स' = 'सहित' (with)

• नतकः: bowed down
• नतकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नत (कृदन्त, नम्-धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; 'नत' (bowed) से तद्धित/प्रातिपदिक रूप

• प्रेम्णा: with love
• प्रेम्णा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रेमन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

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

• गद्गद-अक्षरम्: stammering words
• गद्गद-अक्षरम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गद्गद (प्रातिपदिक) + अक्षर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—गद्गदं अक्षरम् (stammering syllable/words)

Speaker

Nandishvara (Nandi)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadashiva

Characters & Entities

• Nandi
• Arjuna
• Sadashiva
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It highlights the Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis on śaraṇāgati (surrender): the soul approaches Sadāśiva through humility, reverence, and heartfelt devotion, making one receptive to Shiva’s grace.

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

Arjuna’s añjali and praṇipāta express the correct inner posture for Saguna worship—approaching Shiva (often adored as the Linga) with loving devotion and respectful submission, which is considered more vital than mere external ritual.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The verse implies praṇāma (prostration) and añjali with bhāva (devotional feeling) before Shiva; as a practical takeaway, begin worship by bowing, centering the mind, and offering prayer/mantra with sincere emotion.