Shloka 14

Vyāsotpatti-kathana

Account of the Birth/Origin of Vyāsa

Devanagari script

विद्यया वपुषा वाचा कुलशीलेन चान्वितः । कामबाणवशं यातो महदाश्चर्यमत्र हि

Transliteration

vidyayā vapuṣā vācā kulaśīlena cānvitaḥ | kāmabāṇavaśaṃ yāto mahadāścaryamatra hi

Translation

Endowed with learning, handsome form, refined speech, noble lineage, and good conduct, he nevertheless came under the power of Kāma’s arrows—indeed, this is a great wonder here.

Word by Word

• विद्यया: by learning, by knowledge
• विद्यया: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/करण), एकवचन

• वपुषा: by body, by physique
• वपुषा: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वपुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• वाचा: by speech
• वाचा: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाच् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• कुलशीलेन: by (good) family and conduct
• कुलशीलेन: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुल + शील (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (copulative): कुलं च शीलं च

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• अन्वितः: endowed (with)
• अन्वितः: विशेषण (Adjectival modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्वि + त (धातु √अन्वि/अनु-इ, क्त)
• Form: कृदन्त (past passive participle/क्त); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• कामबाणवशम्: the sway of Kāma's arrows
• कामबाणवशम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काम + बाण + वश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: कामस्य बाणानां वशः

• यातः: has gone (fallen)
• यातः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु √या, क्त)
• Form: कृदन्त (past participle/क्त); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; गत्यर्थक—'gone/come under'

• महत्: great
• महत्: विशेषण (Adjectival modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• आश्चर्यम्: wonder, marvel
• आश्चर्यम्: कर्म/विधेय (Predicate nominal)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आश्चर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अत्र: here, in this matter
• अत्र: अधिकरण (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (locative adverb)

• हि: indeed, surely
• हि: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (emphatic particle)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Uma-samhita account to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

• Kama

FAQs

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

The verse highlights that worldly excellences—learning, beauty, eloquence, pedigree, and good conduct—do not by themselves free a person from the bondage (pāśa) of desire. From a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, kama is a form of pasha that must be transcended through Shiva-oriented devotion, discernment, and inner restraint.

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

By showing the surprising power of Kāma over even a qualified person, the text indirectly points to the need for refuge in Pati (Lord Shiva). Linga/Saguna Shiva worship disciplines the senses and redirects the mind from kama toward Shiva-bhakti, supporting steadiness and purity necessary for liberation.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is sense-restraint supported by Shiva upasana—daily japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and contemplative vigilance over desire, offered mentally at the Linga as a means to weaken kama’s hold.