Shloka 18

Śumbha–Niśumbha-pīḍā and Devastuti to Durgā/Śivā

Names and Forms of the Devī

Devanagari script

दृष्ट्वा मनोहरं तस्या रूपं नेत्रसुखावहम् । पेततुस्तौ धरामध्ये नष्टसंज्ञौ विमोहितौ

Transliteration

dṛṣṭvā manoharaṃ tasyā rūpaṃ netrasukhāvaham | petatustau dharāmadhye naṣṭasaṃjñau vimohitau

Translation

Seeing her enchanting form, a delight to the eyes, those two fell upon the ground—bewildered, their awareness lost, overcome by delusion.

Word by Word

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Pūrvakāla (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त—क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव

• मनोहरम्: charming
• मनोहरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनोहर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (of रूपम्)

• तस्याः: of her
• तस्याः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति, एकवचन

• रूपम्: form; beauty
• रूपम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• नेत्रसुखावहम्: bringing delight to the eyes
• नेत्रसुखावहम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नेत्र + सुख + आवह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—नेत्राणां सुखम् आवहति इति (उपपद-तत्पुरुष)

• पेततुः: fell
• पेततुः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पत् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, द्विवचन

• तौ: those two
• तौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, द्विवचन

• धरामध्ये: in the middle of the ground
• धरामध्ये: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धरा + मध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी विभक्ति (locative/7th), एकवचन; समासः—धरायाः मध्ये (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• नष्टसंज्ञौ: having lost consciousness
• नष्टसंज्ञौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नष्ट + संज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, द्विवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—नष्टा संज्ञा यस्य/ययोः (unconscious)

• विमोहितौ: bewildered
• विमोहितौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि + मुह् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त—क्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, द्विवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Gaurī

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Parvati

FAQs

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

It illustrates how sensory fascination can overwhelm embodied beings; in Shaiva Siddhanta, such moha is a pasha (bond) that must be transcended through devotion, discipline, and Shiva-bestowed clarity.

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

The verse contrasts outward, sense-capturing form with the steadiness sought in worship; saguna devotion is meant to mature into inner composure and discrimination, leading the seeker toward Shiva’s liberating grace rather than mere sensory absorption.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Cultivate steadiness through japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and meditative restraint of the senses, so that beauty does not become bondage but is integrated into devotion and discernment.