Shloka 19

Diter Vratabhaṅga and Indra’s Intervention

Diti–Kaśyapa Narrative

Devanagari script

अभिषिच्याधिराज्ये तु पृथुं वैन्यं पितामहः । ततः क्रमेण राज्यानि व्यादेष्टुमुपचक्रमे

Transliteration

abhiṣicyādhirājye tu pṛthuṃ vainyaṃ pitāmahaḥ | tataḥ krameṇa rājyāni vyādeṣṭumupacakrame

Translation

Having anointed Pṛthu, the son of Vena, to imperial sovereignty, the Grandfather (Brahmā) then, in due order, began to assign the kingdoms and their governance.

Word by Word

• अभिषिच्य: having anointed
• अभिषिच्य: Kriyā (क्रिया-पूर्वक)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-षिच् (धातु) + ल्यप् (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त/ल्यपन्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund); पूर्वक्रिया ‘having anointed’

• अधिराज्ये: in/into the sovereignty (overlordship)
• अधिराज्ये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अधि + राज्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण (locative)

• तु: then/indeed
• तु: Discourse marker (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle)

• पृथुम्: Pṛthu
• पृथुम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पृथु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• वैन्यम्: son of Vena (Vainya)
• वैन्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वैन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (पृथुम्)

• पितामहः: Pitāmaha (Brahmā/grandsire)
• पितामहः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितामह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• ततः: thereafter
• ततः: Kālādhi karaṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; तस्मात्/तदनन्तरम् (ablatival adverb)

• क्रमेण: in order/step by step
• क्रमेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; करण (instrumental)

• राज्यानि: kingdoms
• राज्यानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन

• व्यादेष्टुम्: to assign/apportion
• व्यादेष्टुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-आ-दिश् (धातु) + तुमुन् (कृदन्त)
• Form: तुमुनन्त (infinitive); उद्देश्य/प्रयोजन (purpose)

• उपचक्रमे: began/undertook
• उपचक्रमे: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-क्रम् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana account to the sages, with the verse describing Brahma’s action)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Prithu
• Vena

FAQs

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

It presents kingship as a dharmic trust established through consecration (abhisheka), where cosmic order is mirrored in social order—supporting beings (paśu) by removing disorder (pāśa) so they may live righteously and turn toward the Supreme (Pati, Śiva).

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

Abhiṣeka is central to Śiva-linga worship; the verse echoes that sanctified authority and protection arise from consecration. In the Shiva Purana’s devotional framework, righteous rule is sustained by honoring Śiva as the inner Lord of dharma, even when Brahmā performs the outward coronation.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is abhiṣeka-bhāva in devotion: perform Śiva-linga abhiṣeka (water/milk) while chanting the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” cultivating the intent to govern one’s senses ethically, as a king governs a realm.