Shloka 16

Śumbha–Niśumbha-pīḍā and Devastuti to Durgā/Śivā

Names and Forms of the Devī

Devanagari script

बभाषे निखिलान्देवान्यूयं तिष्ठत निर्भयाः । कार्यं वः साधयिष्यामि स्वतन्त्राहं विनाश्रयम्

Transliteration

babhāṣe nikhilāndevānyūyaṃ tiṣṭhata nirbhayāḥ | kāryaṃ vaḥ sādhayiṣyāmi svatantrāhaṃ vināśrayam

Translation

He spoke to all the gods: “Remain fearless, all of you. I shall accomplish your task. I am independent, needing no support from anyone.”

Word by Word

• बभाषे: she spoke
• बभाषे: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भाष् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• निखिलान्: all
• निखिलान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निखिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• देवान्: gods
• देवान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• यूयम्: you (all)
• यूयम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• तिष्ठत: stand; remain
• तिष्ठत: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (imperative), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• निर्भयाः: fearless
• निर्भयाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर्भय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण (of यूयम्)

• कार्यम्: the task
• कार्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वः: your
• वः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी विभक्ति (genitive/6th) बहुवचन; (also possible dative, but here genitive: 'your')

• साधयिष्यामि: I will accomplish
• साधयिष्यामि: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: साध् (धातु)
• Form: लृट् (Simple Future), परस्मैपद, उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन

• स्वतन्त्रā: independent
• स्वतन्त्रā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वतन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (of अहम्)

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन

• विना: without
• विना: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विना (अव्यय)
• Form: उपसर्गसदृश-अव्यय/निपात (preposition-like indeclinable), 'without' (governs accusative)

• आश्रयम्: support; refuge
• आश्रयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आश्रय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Shiva

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Devas

FAQs

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

The verse highlights Shiva as Pati—the supremely free Lord (svatantra) who protects and fulfils the cosmic order without dependence, inspiring devotees to rest in fearless surrender.

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

In Linga worship, devotees approach Shiva as the tangible refuge (Saguna focus) who alone has independent power to remove fear and obstacles; the verse supports trusting the Lord as the ultimate protector beyond all other supports.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is fearlessness through śaraṇāgati (seeking refuge) with japa of the Panchakshara—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and steady remembrance of Shiva as the sole āśraya for liberation.