Shloka 5

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

Devanagari script

भगवन्तौ वयं सर्वे महिषेण दुरात्मना । उज्जासिताश्च स्वर्लोकान्निर्जित्य समरांगणे

Transliteration

bhagavantau vayaṃ sarve mahiṣeṇa durātmanā | ujjāsitāśca svarlokānnirjitya samarāṃgaṇe

Translation

O venerable Lords, all of us have been driven out from the heavenly worlds by the wicked Mahisha, who, having conquered in the battlefield, has seized dominion by force.

Word by Word

• भगवन्तौ: O two Blessed Lords
• भगवन्तौ: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Vocative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), द्विवचन; संबोधन to two deities

• वयम्: we
• वयम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: त्रिलिङ्ग (common), प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण of वयम्

• महिषेण: by the buffalo(-demon)
• महिषेण: Karana (करण/Instrument-Agent in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महिष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• दुरात्मना: by the wicked-souled (one)
• दुरात्मना: Karana (करण/Instrument-Agent in passive)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुरात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; विशेषण of महिषेण

• उज्जासिताः: expelled
• उज्जासिताः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उद्√जस्/उद्√जास् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle) ‘driven out/expelled’ (passive sense)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• स्वर्लोकात्: from heaven
• स्वर्लोकात्: Apadana (अपादान/Source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वर्लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: स्वः-लोकः

• निर्जित्य: having conquered
• निर्जित्य: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि√जि (धातु) + क्त्वा (अव्यय-भाव)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), पूर्वकाल; from √जि with उपसर्ग नि-

• समराङ्गणे: on the battlefield
• समराङ्गणे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समर (प्रातिपदिक) + अङ्गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-प्राय: समरस्य अङ्गणम् (battlefield)

Speaker

The Devas (gods), petitioning the divine couple (Shiva and Uma/Parvati)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati
• Mahisha
• Devas

FAQs

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

It shows the Devas turning to the supreme refuge—Shiva with Uma—when dharma is overpowered, teaching that liberation and protection ultimately depend on Pati’s grace rather than mere celestial power.

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

The verse expresses śaraṇāgati (seeking refuge) in the personal, responsive Lord; in practice, devotees approach Saguna Shiva through Linga worship, trusting that the compassionate Lord removes both outer threats and inner asuric tendencies.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Adopt śaraṇāgati with japa of the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and support it with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrāksha as reminders of Shiva’s protection and mastery over fear and ego.