Shloka 21

उपमन्यूपदेशः

Upamanyu’s Instruction

Devanagari script

चित्रसेनो नृपश्शंभुं प्रसाद्य दृढभक्तिमान् । समस्तनृपभीतिभ्योऽभयं प्रापातुलं च कम्

Transliteration

citraseno nṛpaśśaṃbhuṃ prasādya dṛḍhabhaktimān | samastanṛpabhītibhyo'bhayaṃ prāpātulaṃ ca kam

Translation

King Citrasena, steadfast in unwavering devotion, pleased Śambhu (Lord Shiva) and attained incomparable fearlessness—freedom from all fears arising from other kings.

Word by Word

• चित्रसेनः: Citrasena
• चित्रसेनः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चित्रसेन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• नृपः: the king
• नृपः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; अपादान/विशेषणभावे (apposition to चित्रसेनः)

• शम्भुम्: Śambhu (Śiva)
• शम्भुम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शम्भु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• प्रसाद्य: having propitiated
• प्रसाद्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + सद् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive/Gerund), अव्यय; पूर्वकालिक क्रिया

• दृढभक्तिमान्: possessing firm devotion
• दृढभक्तिमान्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दृढ + भक्तिमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (दृढा भक्तिः यस्य सः) विशेषण (चित्रसेनः इति)

• समस्तनृपभीतिभ्यः: from all fears (caused by kings)
• समस्तनृपभीतिभ्यः: Apadana (अपादान/Source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समस्त + नृप + भीति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/5th), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (समस्तानां नृपाणां भीतयः)

• अभयम्: fearlessness, safety
• अभयम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• प्राप: obtained
• प्राप: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + आप् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• अतुलम्: incomparable
• अतुलम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अतुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (अभयम् इति)

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

• कम्: what? (anything)
• कम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; प्रश्नार्थक

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahadeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Śiva’s prasāda grants abhaya (fearlessness) and protection from worldly threats; a paradigmatic fruit of bhakti leading from laukika security toward inner fearlessness.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Citrasena

FAQs

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

The verse teaches that steadfast bhakti that truly pleases Śiva (Pati) loosens the bonds of fear and insecurity (pāśa), granting abhayam—inner and outer protection—through Shiva’s grace.

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

It highlights Saguna worship—approaching Śambhu as the compassionate Lord who responds to devotion. In Linga worship, this same principle appears as propitiation (prasāda) leading to Shiva’s protective blessing.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Cultivate dṛḍha-bhakti through daily Shiva pūjā with the Panchakshara mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and pray specifically for abhayam (fearlessness) as a fruit of Shiva’s prasāda.