Shloka 26

Strī-svabhāva-kathanam: Nārada–Pañcacūḍā-saṃvāda

Discourse on Dispassion via the Nārada–Pañcacūḍā Dialogue

Devanagari script

यदि पुंसां गतिर्ब्रह्मन्कथंचिन्नोपपद्यते । अप्यन्योन्यं प्रवर्तन्ते न च तिष्ठन्ति भर्तृषु

Transliteration

yadi puṃsāṃ gatirbrahmankathaṃcinnopapadyate | apyanyonyaṃ pravartante na ca tiṣṭhanti bhartṛṣu

Translation

O Brahman, when the proper path and the higher end of men is not established in any way, they turn toward one another in restless pursuit and do not remain steadfast in devotion and loyalty to their rightful supports (their husbands/lords).

Word by Word

• यदि: if
• यदि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yadi (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, शर्तार्थक (conditional particle)

• पुंसाम्: of men
• पुंसाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puṃs (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• गतिः: course/way
• गतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• ब्रह्मन्: O Brahman (sage)
• ब्रह्मन्: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (address-form), सम्बोधन, एकवचन; vocative of ‘brahman’

• कथंचित्: somehow
• कथंचित्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kathaṃcit (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, प्रकार/अनिश्चिततावाचक (adverb: ‘somehow’)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, निषेधार्थक

• उपपद्यते: is possible / occurs
• उपपद्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa + pad (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• अपि: even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, अपि = ‘even/also’ (particle)

• अन्योन्यम्: one another / mutually
• अन्योन्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anyonya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; adverbial accusative ‘mutually’

• प्रवर्तन्ते: they engage/act
• प्रवर्तन्ते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra + vṛt (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, निषेधार्थक

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चयार्थक

• तिष्ठन्ति: they remain/stand
• तिष्ठन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sthā (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• भर्तृषु: in/with (their) husbands
• भर्तृषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhartṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative), बहुवचन

Speaker

Lord Shiva (teaching within Umāsaṃhitā philosophical discourse)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: teaching

FAQs

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

It teaches that when the soul’s true gati—refuge and final end in Pati (Shiva)—is not recognized, the mind becomes outward-turned and unstable, chasing mutual worldly attachments instead of abiding in dharma and inner steadiness.

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

Linga/Saguna worship provides a stable spiritual center for the wandering mind. By fixing awareness on Shiva as the abiding Lord (Pati), one gains a firm ‘support’ that counters restlessness and attachment-driven movement.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Regular japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with daily Shiva-upasana (Linga worship), supported by dharmic vows and inner restraint, is the practical remedy for instability and outward craving implied by the verse.