Shloka 44

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

Devanagari script

इत्थं देवीगणा न्हत्वाभ्यधावत्सोऽसुराधिपः । सिंहं मारयितुन्देव्यास्ततोऽसौ कुपिताऽभवत्

Transliteration

itthaṃ devīgaṇā nhatvābhyadhāvatso'surādhipaḥ | siṃhaṃ mārayitundevyāstato'sau kupitā'bhavat

Translation

Thus, after slaying the bands of the Goddess, the lord of the asuras rushed forward. Intending to kill the Goddess’s lion, he then became enraged.

Word by Word

• इत्थम्: thus, in this manner
• इत्थम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ittham (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण/adverb)

• देवीगणाः: the groups of goddesses
• देवीगणाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवीगण (प्रातिपदिक; देवी + गण)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (1st/Nominative), बहुवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (देवीनां गणाः)

• स्नात्वा: having bathed
• स्नात्वा: Kriyā (क्रिया; पूर्वकर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्ना (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund), पूर्वकाल (having bathed)

• अभ्यधावत्: ran towards
• अभ्यधावत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धाव् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकारः (Imperfect/past), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथम-पुरुषः (3rd), एकवचनम्; उपसर्गः अभि-

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम् (pronoun)

• असुराधिपः: the lord of the asuras
• असुराधिपः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असुराधिप (प्रातिपदिक; असुर + अधिप)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (असुराणाम् अधिपः)

• सिंहम्: the lion
• सिंहम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिंह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (2nd/Accusative), एकवचनम्

• मारयितुम्: to kill
• मारयितुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/उद्देश्य)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मृ (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्तम् (infinitive), हेत्वर्थे (in order to cause to die/kill); णिच्-प्रयोगः (causative: मारय-)

• देव्याः: of the goddess
• देव्याः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गः, षष्ठी-विभक्तिः (6th/Genitive), एकवचनम्

• ततः: then, thereafter
• ततः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण/adverb)

• असौ: that one (he)
• असौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असद्/अदस् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम् (demonstrative pronoun)

• कुपितः: angered
• कुपितः: Kartṛviśeṣaṇa (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुपित (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-विशेषण from कुप्/कुप्य्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle)

• अभवत्: became
• अभवत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकारः (Imperfect/past), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथम-पुरुषः, एकवचनम्

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Durgā

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Devi (Goddess/Parvati)
• Devi's attendants (Devi-gana)
• Asura king (asuradhipa)
• Lion (Devi's mount/vehicle)

FAQs

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

The verse contrasts adharma-driven aggression with the divine order protected by Śiva-Śakti. The asura’s rage after harming the Devi’s attendants shows how ego and violence intensify bondage (pāśa), while the Goddess stands as the safeguarding power that restores dharma.

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

Though the scene centers on the Goddess, it reflects Saguna worship: devotees approach the Divine as Śiva-Śakti acting in history to protect cosmic balance. Such narratives support Linga worship by affirming that the formless Pati (Śiva) is also accessible through manifest power (Śakti) for protection and grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is protective japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—with a steady mind, coupled with simple Śaiva observances like applying tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and wearing rudrākṣa as reminders to restrain anger and align with dharma.