Shloka 55

Śumbha–Niśumbha-pīḍā and Devastuti to Durgā/Śivā

Names and Forms of the Devī

Devanagari script

सिंहारूढा भगवतीमणिमादिभिराश्रिताम् । भासयंती दिशो भासा दृष्ट्वोचुर्द्दानवर्षभाः

Transliteration

siṃhārūḍhā bhagavatīmaṇimādibhirāśritām | bhāsayaṃtī diśo bhāsā dṛṣṭvocurddānavarṣabhāḥ

Translation

Seeing the Blessed Goddess mounted upon a lion—adorned with jewels and the like, and illumining the directions with her radiance—the foremost of the Dānavas spoke.

Word by Word

• siṃha-ārūḍhā: lion-mounted
• siṃha-ārūḍhā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: siṃha (प्रातिपदिक) + ārūḍha (√ruh, क्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (Nom. 1), एकवचन (sg.); सप्तमी/उपपद-तत्पुरुषार्थः: सिंहम् आरूढा = mounted on a lion

• bhagavatīm: the Goddess
• bhagavatīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagavatī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), द्वितीया (Acc. 2), एकवचन (sg.)

• maṇi-ādibhiḥ: with jewels and the like
• maṇi-ādibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maṇi (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), तृतीया (Instr. 3), बहुवचन (pl.); तत्पुरुषः: मणयः आदयः येषां तैः = with jewels etc.

• āśritām: resorted to / attended by
• āśritām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√śri (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), द्वितीया (Acc. 2), एकवचन (sg.); कर्मणि भावः: having resorted to / adorned with (contextual)

• bhāsayantī: illuminating
• bhāsayantī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhās (धातु) (णिच् causative: bhāsayati)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त (present active participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (Nom. 1), एकवचन (sg.); णिच् (causative): causing to shine/illuminating

• diśaḥ: the directions
• diśaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: diś (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), द्वितीया (Acc. 2), बहुवचन (pl.)

• bhāsā: with radiance
• bhāsā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhāsā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), तृतीया (Instr. 3), एकवचन (sg.)

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen
• dṛṣṭvā: Pūrvakāla (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dṛś (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त (absolutive/gerund): having seen

• ūcuḥ: they said
• ūcuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perf.), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन (pl.), परस्मैपद

• dānava-vṛṣabhāḥ: the bull-like (chief) demons
• dānava-vṛṣabhāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dānava (प्रातिपदिक) + vṛṣabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा (Nom. 1), बहुवचन (pl.); कर्मधारयः: दानवाः एव वृषभाः (श्रेष्ठाः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Durgā

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Parvati
• Devi

FAQs

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

The verse highlights Śakti’s manifest (saguṇa) majesty—her radiance that fills the directions—showing that divine power is not merely symbolic but an active, protective presence that subdues demonic forces and supports dharma in Shiva’s cosmic order.

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

In Shaiva Siddhanta, Shiva (Pati) is worshipped with Śakti as inseparable; the Goddess’ visible splendour complements Linga-worship by emphasizing that the formless Lord is approached through sacred manifestations—Shiva as Linga and Śakti as the radiant, compassionate power that makes grace accessible.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is dhyāna on the luminous Divine Mother as Śiva-Śakti—visualizing her radiance pervading all directions—along with steady japa of the Panchākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") to align the mind with Shiva’s grace working through Śakti.