Shloka 16

Mahiṣāsura’s Conquest of Svarga and the Devas’ Appeal to Śiva and Viṣṇu

Devanagari script

भूतेजसा नितंबोभूद्ब्राह्मेण चरणद्वयम् । आर्केण चरणांगुल्यः करांगुल्यश्च वासवात्

Transliteration

bhūtejasā nitaṃbobhūdbrāhmeṇa caraṇadvayam | ārkeṇa caraṇāṃgulyaḥ karāṃgulyaśca vāsavāt

Translation

By the energy of Bhūta (Śiva’s elemental power) the hips were formed; by Brahmā’s power the two feet arose; by the Sun’s power the toes were fashioned; and by the power of Vāsava (Indra) the fingers of the hands came into being.

Word by Word

• भूत: elemental
• भूत: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे तृतीया-एकवचन-समासपूर्वपद (qualifier within bhūtejasā)

• तेजसा: by the elemental radiance/energy
• तेजसा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; ‘भूत-तेजसा’ इति समाहारः (instrumental)

• नितम्बः: the buttocks/hips
• नितम्बः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नितम्ब (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अभूत्: became/was formed
• अभूत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लुङ् (Aorist/लुङ्), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• ब्राह्मेण: by the Brahmic (power)
• ब्राह्मेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग (context: ‘brahma’-related power), तृतीया, एकवचन

• चरण: feet
• चरण: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे समासपूर्वपद (within caraṇadvayam)

• द्वयम्: the pair (of feet)
• द्वयम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (चरण + द्वय)

• आर्केण: by the solar (power)
• आर्केण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आर्क (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग (arka-related), तृतीया, एकवचन

• चरण: of the feet
• चरण: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे समासपूर्वपद (within caraṇāṅgulyaḥ)

• अङ्गुल्यः: toes
• अङ्गुल्यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्गुलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (चरण-अङ्गुल्यः = चरणानाम् अङ्गुल्यः)

• कर: hand
• कर: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे समासपूर्वपद (within karāṅgulyaḥ)

• अङ्गुल्यः: fingers
• अङ्गुल्यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्गुलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (कर-अङ्गुल्यः = कराणाम् अङ्गुल्यः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• वासवात्: from Vāsava (Indra)
• वासवात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वासव (प्रातिपदिक) + तस् (अव्ययप्रत्यय)
• Form: तस्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival: ‘from/through Vāsava/Indra’)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: deva-tejas aggregation and embodied manifestation (devanirmāṇa motif)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma
• Surya
• Indra

FAQs

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

It teaches that the body and its capacities arise through divine energies, ultimately operating under Pati (Lord Shiva). Recognizing this loosens egoic ownership and supports devotion and liberation-oriented living.

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

By presenting Brahmā, Sūrya, and Indra as functional powers within a higher Shaiva order, it points the devotee to Saguna Shiva as the governing Lord behind all deities—worship of the Linga becomes worship of the source that empowers every limb and sense.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice limb-offering (aṅga-nyāsa/bhāva-arpana): while repeating the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” mentally offer the body’s parts and actions to Shiva, cultivating surrender and purity of intention.