Shloka 27

Śumbha–Niśumbha-pīḍā and Devastuti to Durgā/Śivā

Names and Forms of the Devī

Devanagari script

साक्षरा मालिकोपेता पणिराजितकंकणा । स्वर्णोर्मिकांगुलिर्भ्राजत्पारिहार्य्यलसत्करा

Transliteration

sākṣarā mālikopetā paṇirājitakaṃkaṇā | svarṇormikāṃgulirbhrājatpārihāryyalasatkarā

Translation

Her hands shone with auspicious, lettered garlands; her wrists were adorned with radiant bracelets; and her fingers, bright with golden rings, gleamed with fitting ornaments.

Word by Word

• साक्षरा: (garland) with syllables/letters
• साक्षरा: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स + अक्षर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: अक्षरैः सह/युक्ता (with letters/syllables)

• मालिकोपेता: adorned with a garland
• मालिकोपेता: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मालिका + उपेता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; उपेता (past participle of √इ with उप-): मालिकया उपेता (endowed with a garland)

• पाणिराजितकंकणा: with bracelets shining on her hands
• पाणिराजितकंकणा: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पाणि + राजित + कंकण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: पाणौ राजितं कंकणं यस्याः (bracelet shining on the hand)

• स्वर्णोर्मिकाङ्गुलिः: with fingers bearing golden rings
• स्वर्णोर्मिकाङ्गुलिः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वर्ण + ऊर्मिका + अङ्गुलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: स्वर्ण-ऊर्मिकाभिः अङ्गुलिः (fingers with golden rings)

• भ्राजत्पारिहार्यलसत्करा: whose hands shine with splendid ornaments
• भ्राजत्पारिहार्यलसत्करा: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भ्राजत् + पारिहार्य + लसत् + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि: भ्राजत् पारिहार्यं लसत् करौ यस्याः (whose hands shine with splendid ornaments)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Characters & Entities

• Parvati
• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse portrays the Goddess’ auspicious, mantra-linked adornment, teaching that sacred form (saguṇa) can elevate the mind toward Pati (Śiva) through bhakti, purity, and mantric remembrance.

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

By describing sacred ornaments and “lettered” (mantric) garlands, it supports saguṇa upāsanā—devotion through perceivable attributes—while ultimately directing the devotee’s awareness to Śiva as the supreme Lord beyond attributes.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Japa with a mālā (rosary) and steady mantra-remembrance (such as the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) are implied, along with maintaining external and internal purity as part of Shaiva worship.