Shloka 16

Strī-svabhāva-kathanam: Nārada–Pañcacūḍā-saṃvāda

Discourse on Dispassion via the Nārada–Pañcacūḍā Dialogue

Devanagari script

न स्त्रीभ्यः किंचिदन्यद्वै पापीयस्तरमस्ति हि । स्त्रियो मूलं हि पापानां तथा त्वमपि वेत्थ ह

Transliteration

na strībhyaḥ kiṃcidanyadvai pāpīyastaramasti hi | striyo mūlaṃ hi pāpānāṃ tathā tvamapi vettha ha

Translation

“Indeed, there is nothing more degrading than unrestrained attachment to women; for women are said to be the root of sins—this you too surely know.”

Word by Word

• na: not
• na: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (न)
• Form: Negation (निषेधार्थक)

• strībhyaḥ: than women
• strībhyaḥ: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: strī (स्त्री)
• Form: Feminine, Ablative (पञ्चमी), Plural

• kiṃcit: anything
• kiṃcit: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kiṃcit (किंचित्)
• Form: Indefinite Pronoun/Particle

• anyat: other
• anyat: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anya (अन्य)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (प्रथमा), Singular

• vai: indeed
• vai: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (वै)
• Form: Emphasis Particle (निश्चयार्थक)

• pāpīyastaram: more sinful
• pāpīyastaram: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pāpīyastara (पापीयस्तर)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (प्रथमा), Singular, Comparative degree

• asti: is
• asti: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: as (अस्)
• Form: Lat Lakara (Present), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular

• hi: for/indeed
• hi: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (हि)
• Form: Causal Particle (हेत्वर्थक)

• striyaḥ: women
• striyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: strī (स्त्री)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (प्रथमा), Plural

• mūlam: root
• mūlam: Kartapada (पूरक)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūla (मूल)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (प्रथमा), Singular

• pāpānām: of sins
• pāpānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāpa (पाप)
• Form: Neuter, Genitive (षष्ठी), Plural

• tathā: so/likewise
• tathā: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (तथा)
• Form: Adverb (प्रकारवाचक)

• tvam: you
• tvam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yuṣmad (युष्मद्)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा), Singular

• api: also
• api: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अपि)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयार्थक)

• vettha: know
• vettha: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vid (विद्)
• Form: Lat Lakara (Perfect form used as present), 2nd Person (मध्यमपुरुष), Singular

• ha: indeed
• ha: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ha (ह)
• Form: Emphasis Particle (प्रसिद्धार्थक)

Speaker

Lord Shiva (instructing in a didactic context within the Umāsaṃhitā)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It warns that bondage (pāśa) is strengthened by uncontrolled desire and attachment; Shaiva teaching emphasizes conquering kama through viveka and vairagya so the soul (paśu) can turn toward Shiva (Pati) for liberation.

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

Linga-worship trains the devotee to redirect outward craving into inward devotion—offering the senses to Saguna Shiva and purifying the heart so that consciousness becomes fit for Shiva’s grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with sense-restraint, and support it with simple Shaiva disciplines like bhasma/Tripuṇḍra and daily worship to reduce lust-driven distraction.