Shloka 10

Diter Vratabhaṅga and Indra’s Intervention

Diti–Kaśyapa Narrative

Devanagari script

अकृत्वा पादयोः शौचं दितिरर्वाक्शिरास्तदा । निद्रामाहारयामास भाविनोऽर्थस्य गौरवात्

Transliteration

akṛtvā pādayoḥ śaucaṃ ditirarvākśirāstadā | nidrāmāhārayāmāsa bhāvino'rthasya gauravāt

Translation

Without first washing her feet, Diti then lay down with her head turned the wrong way and fell asleep, for the weight of the impending matter (of what was to come) pressed heavily upon her mind.

Word by Word

• अकृत्वा: without doing
• अकृत्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया/Absolutive)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु)
• Form: नञ्-पूर्वक क्त्वा (negative gerund): कृत्वा with privative a-; 'without doing'; क्त्वा-प्रत्यय (Absolutive)

• पादयोः: of (her) two feet
• पादयोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी/सप्तमी (6th/7th), द्विवचन (Dual); here genitive 'of the feet'

• शौचम्: purification/cleaning
• शौचम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शौच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• दितिः: Diti
• दितिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अर्वाक्-शिराः: with head bent downwards
• अर्वाक्-शिराः: Karta (कर्ता/Qualifier of 'ditiḥ')
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अर्वाक् (अव्यय/उपसर्गार्थ) + शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि-समास (अर्वाक् शिरः यस्याः); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (ending -आः as feminine nom. sg. in this bahuvrīhi usage)

• तदा: then
• तदा: Kriya-visheshaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (temporal adverb)

• निद्राम्: sleep
• निद्राम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निद्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• आहारयामास: brought upon (herself)/induced
• आहारयामास: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √हृ (धातु) with causative (णिच्) + आ-
• Form: णिजन्त (Causative) of √हृ 'to take/bring' with आ-; लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• भाविनः: of the future/impending
• भाविनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भाविन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी, एकवचन; adjective qualifying 'arthasya'

• अर्थस्य: of the matter/event
• अर्थस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• गौरवात्: due to heaviness/seriousness
• गौरवात्: Hetu (हेतु/Cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गौरव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/पञ्चमी), एकवचन; ablative of cause

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Characters & Entities

• Diti

FAQs

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

It highlights how negligence in śauca (outer cleanliness reflecting inner attentiveness) becomes a subtle form of bondage (pāśa): when awareness declines, one is more easily pulled by the gravity of impending karma and its consequences.

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

Linga-worship emphasizes disciplined preparation—cleanliness, right orientation, and mindful entry into worship. The verse contrasts that ideal with heedlessness, implying that devotion to Saguna Shiva is strengthened by śauca and careful conduct.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Maintain śauca before any japa or pūjā—wash feet and hands, settle the body with proper posture and orientation, then repeat the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with steadiness to avoid tamas (dullness) overtaking the mind.