Shloka 23

Strī-svabhāva-kathanam: Nārada–Pañcacūḍā-saṃvāda

Discourse on Dispassion via the Nārada–Pañcacūḍā Dialogue

Devanagari script

यौवने वर्तमानानामिष्टाभरणवाससाम् । नारीणां स्वैरवृत्तीनां स्पृहयन्ति कुलस्त्रियः

Transliteration

yauvane vartamānānāmiṣṭābharaṇavāsasām | nārīṇāṃ svairavṛttīnāṃ spṛhayanti kulastriyaḥ

Translation

Women of noble family, seeing other women in the bloom of youth—adorned with pleasing ornaments and garments and living as they please—begin to long for the same.

Word by Word

• यौवने: in youth
• यौवने: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location; time/state)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यौवन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular)

• वर्तमानानाम्: of those who are (in that state)
• वर्तमानानाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वृत् (धातु) → वर्तमान (कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine) (generic), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन (Plural); कृदन्तः—शतृ-प्रत्यय (Present active participle: ‘being/remaining’)

• इष्टाभरणवाससाम्: of (those with) desired ornaments and garments
• इष्टाभरणवाससाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive qualifier)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इष्ट + आभरण + वासस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter) (collective), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन (Plural); समासः—द्वन्द्वः (आभरणं च वासांसि च) पूर्वपद-विशेषण ‘इष्ट’ (desired)

• नारीणाम्: of women
• नारीणाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नारी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन (Plural)

• स्वैरवृत्तीनाम्: of free-living/wayward (women)
• स्वैरवृत्तीनाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वैर + वृत्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन (Plural); समासः—कर्मधारयः (स्वैरा वृत्तिः यस्याः)

• स्पृहयन्ति: desire/long for
• स्पृहयन्ति: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्पृह् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन (Plural), परस्मैपद

• कुलस्त्रियः: respectable women (women of good family)
• कुलस्त्रियः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुल + स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural); समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (कुलस्य स्त्रियः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

FAQs

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

It highlights how desire arises through comparison and fascination with external enjoyments—an aspect of pāśa (bondage) that turns the mind outward. In Shaiva thought, such longing strengthens attachment and delays the jīva’s steadiness needed for devotion and liberation under Pati (Śiva).

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

By pointing to the instability caused by sensual longing, the verse indirectly recommends anchoring the mind in Saguna Śiva—through Linga-worship—so attention shifts from ornament and display to sacred symbols (bhasma, rudrākṣa, mantra) that purify intention and reduce attachment.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with mindful restraint, supported by simple Shaiva disciplines like applying tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and wearing rudrākṣa to remind the mind to turn from craving toward devotion.