Shloka 21

Devanagari script

रश्मिहीनं यदा देवि भवेत्सोमार्कमण्डलम् । दृश्यते पाटलाकारं मासार्दे्धेन विपद्यते

Transliteration

raśmihīnaṃ yadā devi bhavetsomārkamaṇḍalam | dṛśyate pāṭalākāraṃ māsārde्dhena vipadyate

Translation

O Goddess, when the orb of the Moon or the Sun becomes bereft of rays and is seen with a pale reddish hue, it is an ominous sign—within half a month calamity befalls.

Word by Word

• रश्मिहीनम्: devoid of rays
• रश्मिहीनम्: विशेषण (of सोम-आर्क-मण्डलम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रश्मि + हीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (रश्मिभिः हीनम्)

• यदा: when
• यदा: कालाधिकरण (Adverbial time/कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (temporal adverb)

• देवि: O Goddess
• देवि: सम्बोधन (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8), एकवचन

• भवेत्: may become / becomes
• भवेत्: क्रिया (Verb/आख्यात)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• सोम: of the moon
• सोम: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation within compound)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सोम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), एकवचन; समासपूर्वपद

• अर्क: of the sun
• अर्क: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation within compound)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्क (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), एकवचन; समासपूर्वपद

• मण्डलम्: orb/disc
• मण्डलम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मण्डल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषसमासः (सोमस्य अर्कस्य च मण्डलम्)

• दृश्यते: is seen/appears
• दृश्यते: क्रिया (Verb/आख्यात)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपदम्; कर्मणि-प्रयोगः (passive sense: 'is seen')

• पाटलाकारम्: having a pale-reddish form
• पाटलाकारम्: विशेषण (of मण्डलम्, implied)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पाटल + आकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (पाटलस्य आकारः)

• मास: of a month
• मास: सम्बन्ध (within compound)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), एकवचन; समासपूर्वपद

• अर्धेन: by (in) half (a month)
• अर्धेन: करण/कालपरिमाण (Instrument/measure of time/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषसमासः (मासस्य अर्धेन)

• विपद्यते: perishes/comes to ruin
• विपद्यते: क्रिया (Verb/आख्यात)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + पद् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपदम्

Speaker

Lord Shiva

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Mahākāla

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Mahākāleśvara

Sthala Purana: Mahākāla as Lord of Time: the jyotirliṅga is famed for subduing kāla (time/death) and granting protection from untimely death; this verse’s solar-lunar ray-loss omen resonates with Mahākāla’s governance over time and dissolution.

Significance: Seeking refuge in Mahākāla for kāla-bhaya (fear of death), longevity, and inner steadiness amid change; pradoṣa and mahāśivarātri worship are especially valued.

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: sun/moon disc appearing rayless and pāṭala-hued—an eclipse-like or atmospheric-omen description used as mṛtyu-nimitta

Characters & Entities

• Parvati
• Chandra (Moon)
• Surya (Sun)

FAQs

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

It teaches that cosmic signs can indicate impending worldly disturbance, yet the devotee should respond by strengthening dharma and taking refuge in Shiva (Pati), who alone grants inner stability and liberation beyond external events.

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

When omens suggest danger, Shaiva practice turns the mind toward Saguna Shiva—worship of the Linga, japa, and pūjā—so fear is transformed into surrender and disciplined devotion rather than anxiety.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Increase Panchakshara japa ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), maintain Tripuṇḍra with bhasma, and perform simple daily Linga-abhiṣeka as a protective, centering observance during uncertain times.