Shloka 56

Umā-caritra-prārthanā: Ṛṣayaḥ Sūtaṃ Pṛcchanti

Request for the Account of Umā

Devanagari script

समालोक्यं तु तौ दैत्यौ सुरज्येष्ठो जनार्दनम् । शयानं च पयोम्भोधौ तुष्टाव परमेश्वरीम्

Transliteration

samālokyaṃ tu tau daityau surajyeṣṭho janārdanam | śayānaṃ ca payombhodhau tuṣṭāva parameśvarīm

Translation

Seeing those two demons, Janārdana—foremost among the gods—while reclining upon the Ocean of Milk, praised the Supreme Goddess (Parameśvarī), seeking her divine aid.

Word by Word

• समालोक्य: having observed
• समालोक्य: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम् + आलोक् (धातु) → समालोक्य (क्त्वान्त)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययीभाव (gerund/absolutive: having looked at)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/अन्वय-अव्यय (particle: but/indeed)

• तौ: those two
• तौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, द्विवचन (masc. acc. dual)

• दैत्यौ: the two demons
• दैत्यौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दैत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन (masc. nom. dual)

• सुर-ज्येष्ठः: the chief of the gods
• सुर-ज्येष्ठः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर (प्रातिपदिक) + ज्येष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (masc. nom. sg.)

• जनार्दनम्: Janārdana (Viṣṇu)
• जनार्दनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जनार्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (masc. acc. sg.)

• शयानम्: lying (reclining)
• शयानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शी (धातु) → शयान (कृदन्त, शानच्)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (शानच्/आत्मनेपदी), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (pres. middle participle, masc. acc. sg.)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• पयः-भोधौ: in the ocean of milk
• पयः-भोधौ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पयस् (प्रातिपदिक) + भोधि/भोधि(=समुद्र) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन (masc. loc. sg.); अधिकरण (locus)

• तुष्टाव: praised
• तुष्टाव: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्तु (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (परस्मैपद), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन (perfect, 3rd sg.)

• परम-ईश्वरीम्: the Supreme Goddess
• परम-ईश्वरीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश्वरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (fem. acc. sg.)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purāṇic account to the sages; the action described is performed by Vishnu/Janardana)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: liberating

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Parameshvari (Devi/Shakti)

FAQs

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

It highlights śaraṇāgati (taking refuge): even the foremost deity among the gods turns to the Supreme Goddess for grace when confronted by adharma, showing that divine help is accessed through humble praise and devotion.

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

Within Shaiva Siddhānta framing, Śiva (Pati) is inseparable from Śakti; praising Parameśvarī reflects Saguna worship where the devotee approaches the Divine through name, form, and stotra—akin to Linga-bhakti that seeks the Lord’s grace to overcome obstacles.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Stotra-japa and contemplative surrender: recite a Devi-stotra or the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with intent for protection and clarity, accompanied by simple purity observances (e.g., vibhūti/Tripuṇḍra and steady dhyāna) where appropriate.