Shloka 31

Kālajñāna (Knowledge of Time) and Mṛtyu-cihna (Signs of Death): Śiva’s Instruction to Umā

Devanagari script

एवं पक्षौ स्थितौ द्वौ तु समासात्सुरसुंदरि । शुचिर्भूत्वा स्मरन्देवं सुस्नातस्संयतेन्द्रियः

Transliteration

evaṃ pakṣau sthitau dvau tu samāsātsurasuṃdari | śucirbhūtvā smarandevaṃ susnātassaṃyatendriyaḥ

Translation

Thus, O fairest among the gods, when both fortnights had passed in due course, he became pure, bathed well, restrained his senses, and—remembering the Lord, Śiva—remained intent upon Him.

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (manner adverb)

• पक्षौ: the two sides/fortnights (pakṣas)
• पक्षौ: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nom), द्विवचन

• स्थितौ: situated, established
• स्थितौ: कर्ता-विशेषण (Subject qualifier)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त; क्त (past participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nom), द्विवचन; 'having been placed/being situated'

• द्वौ: two
• द्वौ: विशेषण (Adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्यावाचक, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nom), द्विवचन

• तु: indeed, but
• तु: निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विरोध/अन्वयबोधक (particle: but/indeed)

• समासात्: briefly, in summary
• समासात्: अपादान (Apādāna/Ablative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (Ablative/5th), एकवचन; 'from/briefly (by summary)'

• सुरसुन्दरि: O beautiful one among the gods
• सुरसुन्दरि: सम्बोधन (Sambodhana/Vocative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर (प्रातिपदिक) + सुन्दरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (genitive sense: 'of the gods'); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन

• शुचिः: pure
• शुचिः: कर्ता-विशेषण (Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुचि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nom), एकवचन; 'pure'

• भूत्वा: having become
• भूत्वा: पूर्वकाल (Pūrvakāla/Absolutive)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त; त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), 'having become'

• स्मरन्: remembering
• स्मरन्: कर्ता-विशेषण (Agent participle)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्मृ (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त; शतृ (present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nom), एकवचन

• देवम्: the god (Deva)
• देवम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Acc), एकवचन

• सुस्नातः: well-bathed
• सुस्नातः: कर्ता-विशेषण (Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + स्नात (स्ना धातु से क्त)
• Form: कृदन्त; क्त (past participle) with उपसर्ग 'सु-' (well); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nom), एकवचन

• संयतेन्द्रियः: one with controlled senses
• संयतेन्द्रियः: कर्ता-विशेषण (Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संयत (यम् धातु से क्त) + इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहिसमास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nom), एकवचन; 'whose senses are restrained'

Speaker

Lord Shiva

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Umā

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati

FAQs

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

It emphasizes the Shaiva path of inner and outer purification—time-bound observance, bodily cleanliness, and sense-restraint—culminating in steady remembrance of Pati (Lord Shiva), which ripens devotion and supports liberation.

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

The verse points to preparatory disciplines for Saguna Shiva worship: after becoming pure and self-controlled, the devotee holds Shiva in mind—an essential attitude for Linga-puja where external offerings are joined with inward dhyāna and smaraṇa.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A simple regimen is implied: bathe (snāna), maintain śauca (purity), practice indriya-nigraha (sense-restraint), and perform Shiva-smaraṇa—ideally with japa of the Panchākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” optionally along with bhasma and rudrākṣa as per Shaiva observance.