Shloka 18

Strī-svabhāva-kathanam: Nārada–Pañcacūḍā-saṃvāda

Discourse on Dispassion via the Nārada–Pañcacūḍā Dialogue

Devanagari script

असद्धर्मस्त्वयं स्त्रीणामस्माकं भवति प्रभो । पापीयसो नरान् यद्वै लज्जां त्यक्त्वा भजामहे

Transliteration

asaddharmastvayaṃ strīṇāmasmākaṃ bhavati prabho | pāpīyaso narān yadvai lajjāṃ tyaktvā bhajāmahe

Translation

O Lord, this indeed becomes an unrighteous course for us women—that, casting aside modesty, we associate with men of sinful conduct.

Word by Word

• asaddharmaḥ: evil conduct
• asaddharmaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asat-dharma (असत्-धर्म)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा), Singular

• tu: but
• tu: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (तु)
• Form: Particle (विशेषार्थक)

• ayam: this
• ayam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (इदम्)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा), Singular

• strīṇām: of women
• strīṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: strī (स्त्री)
• Form: Feminine, Genitive (षष्ठी), Plural

• asmākam: our
• asmākam: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (अस्मद्)
• Form: Common, Genitive (षष्ठी), Plural

• bhavati: is/becomes
• bhavati: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (भू)
• Form: Lat Lakara (Present), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular

• prabho: O Lord
• prabho: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prabhu (प्रभु)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (सम्बोधन), Singular

• pāpīyasaḥ: more sinful
• pāpīyasaḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pāpīyas (पापीयस्)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (द्वितीया), Plural

• narān: men
• narān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara (नर)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (द्वितीया), Plural

• yat: that
• yat: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yad (यद्)
• Form: Relative Pronoun/Conjunction

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

• lajjām: shame/modesty
• lajjām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lajjā (लज्जा)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (द्वितीया), Singular

• tyaktvā: having abandoned
• tyaktvā: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tyaj (त्यज्)
• Form: Ktva Pratyaya (Gerund)

• bhajāmahe: we resort to
• bhajāmahe: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhaj (भज्)
• Form: Lat Lakara (Present), Atmanepada, 1st Person (उत्तमपुरुष), Plural

Speaker

Parvati (Umā)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati

FAQs

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

The verse highlights that pāpa-saṅga (association with sinful conduct) strengthens pasha (bondage), while dharmic restraint and inner purity support the soul’s readiness for Shiva-bhakti and liberation under Pati (Shiva).

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

Linga/Saguna-Shiva worship in the Purana is grounded in śauca and sadācāra; avoiding unrighteous association preserves the devotee’s sanctity so that pūjā, japa, and vrata bear fruit and the mind can steadily rest in Shiva.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to adopt niyama—guarding conduct and company—along with steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) as a purifier that counters the pull of pāpa and supports self-restraint.