Shloka 54

Umā-caritra-prārthanā: Ṛṣayaḥ Sūtaṃ Pṛcchanti

Request for the Account of Umā

Devanagari script

प्रलयार्कप्रभौ घोरौ महाकायौ महाहनू । दंष्द्राकरालवदनौ भक्षयन्तौ जगन्ति वा

Transliteration

pralayārkaprabhau ghorau mahākāyau mahāhanū | daṃṣdrākarālavadanau bhakṣayantau jaganti vā

Translation

Terrifying in appearance, blazing like the sun at dissolution, of colossal bodies and mighty jaws—those two, with mouths made dreadful by their fangs, seemed as though they could devour the very worlds.

Word by Word

• प्रलय-अर्क-प्रभौ: having the radiance of the sun at dissolution
• प्रलय-अर्क-प्रभौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रलय (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्क (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; विशेषण-प्रयोगः (masc. nom. dual)

• घोरौ: terrible
• घोरौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घोर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन (masc. nom. dual)

• महा-कायौ: huge-bodied
• महा-कायौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + काय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन (masc. nom. dual)

• महा-हनू: with massive jaws
• महा-हनू: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + हनु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन (masc. nom. dual)

• दंष्ट्रा-कराल-वदनौ: with faces made frightful by fangs
• दंष्ट्रा-कराल-वदनौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दंष्ट्रा (प्रातिपदिक) + कराल (प्रातिपदिक) + वदन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; विशेषण-प्रयोगः (masc. nom. dual)

• भक्षयन्तौ: devouring
• भक्षयन्तौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भक्ष् (धातु) → भक्षयत् (कृदन्त, शतृ)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; क्रियाविशेषण-रूपेण/कर्तृवाचकः (pres. act. participle, masc. nom. dual: 'devouring')

• जगन्ति: worlds
• जगन्ति: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (neut. acc. pl.)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/विकल्प)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्प-अव्यय (particle of alternative)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Mahākāla

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: mahapralaya

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It highlights the overwhelming power of dissolution (pralaya) and the terror of worldly forces, implying that refuge in Pati (Lord Shiva) alone grants fearlessness and liberation beyond such cosmic threats.

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

Such terrifying forms underscore the need for a stable, compassionate focus—Saguna Shiva as the Linga—through whom the devotee transcends भय and recognizes Shiva as the controller of creation, preservation, and dissolution.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrāksha, meditating on Shiva as the inner protector who leads the soul beyond pralaya and worldly fear.