Shloka 13

उपमन्यूपदेशः

Upamanyu’s Instruction

Devanagari script

धात्रा सृष्टश्शतमखो दैत्यो वर्षशतं पुरा । तपः कृत्वा सहस्रं तु पुत्राणामलभद्भवात्

Transliteration

dhātrā sṛṣṭaśśatamakho daityo varṣaśataṃ purā | tapaḥ kṛtvā sahasraṃ tu putrāṇāmalabhadbhavāt

Translation

In former times, the Daitya named Śatamakha—created by Dhātṛ (Brahmā)—performed austerities for a hundred years; and by that tapas he obtained a thousand sons from Bhava (Lord Śiva).

Word by Word

• dhātrā: by Dhātṛ (the Creator)
• dhātrā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Instrumental singular masculine

• sṛṣṭaḥ: created
• sṛṣṭaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sṛj (सृज् धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय) भूतकर्मणि; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; past passive participle used adjectivally qualifying 'daityaḥ'

• śatamakhaḥ: (one) having a hundred sacrifices; Śatamakha
• śatamakhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śata (प्रातिपदिक) + makha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहिः (śataṃ makhāḥ yasya saḥ); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nominative singular masculine (epithet/name)

• daityaḥ: the demon
• daityaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daitya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nominative singular masculine

• varṣaśatam: a hundred years
• varṣaśatam: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + śata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगु-समासः (śataṃ varṣāṇi); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Accusative singular neuter (duration)

• purā: formerly
• purā: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: purā (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्ययम्; adverb = 'formerly'

• tapaḥ: austerity; penance
• tapaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tapas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Accusative singular neuter

• kṛtvā: having performed
• kṛtvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (कृ धातु) + tvā (त्वा)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त; absolutive/gerund = 'having done'

• sahasram: a thousand
• sahasram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sahasra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Accusative singular neuter (number)

• tu: but; indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/अन्वय-निपातः; particle = 'but/indeed'

• putrāṇām: of sons
• putrāṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: putra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; Genitive plural

• alabhat: obtained
• alabhat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: labh (लभ् धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; Parasmaipada

• bhavāt: from Bhava (Śiva)
• bhavāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Ablative singular masculine (source)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Bhikṣāṭana

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma

FAQs

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

It shows that sustained tapas, when aligned with sincere seeking, becomes fruitful through Śiva’s grace (anugraha), emphasizing Bhava as the compassionate Lord who grants results—even to non-devas—according to spiritual law.

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

Bhava is Saguna Śiva—the accessible Lord who responds to devotion and austerity. The narrative supports the Purāṇic principle that worship of Śiva (often through the Liṅga) and disciplined tapas can yield worldly and spiritual outcomes.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The implied practice is disciplined tapas with Śiva-oriented devotion—such as daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), Liṅga-pūjā with bilva leaves, and a steady vow of purity and restraint.