Shloka 56

Śumbha–Niśumbha-pīḍā and Devastuti to Durgā/Śivā

Names and Forms of the Devī

Devanagari script

हे देवि तरसा मूलं याहि शुंभनिशुंभयोः । अन्यथा घातयिष्यामः सगणां त्वां सवाहनाम्

Transliteration

he devi tarasā mūlaṃ yāhi śuṃbhaniśuṃbhayoḥ | anyathā ghātayiṣyāmaḥ sagaṇāṃ tvāṃ savāhanām

Translation

“O Goddess, go at once to the very source—Śumbha and Niśumbha. Otherwise, we shall slay you, together with your attendants and even your mount.”

Word by Word

• he: O!
• he: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: he (अव्यय)
• Form: सम्बोधन-निपात (vocative particle)

• devi: O Goddess
• devi: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: devī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), सम्बोधन (Voc. 8), एकवचन (sg.)

• tarasā: swiftly / with speed
• tarasā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa/Karaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: taras (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), तृतीया (Instr. 3), एकवचन (sg.); क्रियाविशेषणार्थे (adverbial instrumental)

• mūlam: the root / base
• mūlam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), द्वितीया (Acc. 2), एकवचन (sg.)

• yāhi: go
• yāhi: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √yā (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imp.), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd), एकवचन (sg.), परस्मैपद

• śuṃbha-niśuṃbhayoḥ: of/in (the realm of) Śumbha and Niśumbha
• śuṃbha-niśuṃbhayoḥ: Gati/Adhikaraṇa (गति/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śuṃbha (प्रातिपदिक) + niśuṃbha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), षष्ठी/सप्तमी (Gen./Loc. 6/7), द्विवचन (du.); द्वन्द्वसमासः (itaretara): शुंभश्च निशुंभश्च

• anyathā: otherwise
• anyathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: anyathā (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण (adverb), अव्यय

• ghātayiṣyāmaḥ: we will kill
• ghātayiṣyāmaḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √han (धातु) (णिच् causative: ghātayati)
• Form: लृट्-लकार (Fut.), उत्तमपुरुष (1st), बहुवचन (pl.), परस्मैपद; णिच् (causative): we will cause to be slain/kill

• sa-gaṇām: together with (your) retinue
• sa-gaṇām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (अव्यय/उपसर्गार्थ) + gaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), द्वितीया (Acc. 2), एकवचन (sg.); अव्ययीभावः: सगणाम् = with (your) attendants

• tvām: you
• tvām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्री/पुं (2nd person pronoun), द्वितीया (Acc. 2), एकवचन (sg.)

• sa-vāhanām: together with (your) mount
• sa-vāhanām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (अव्यय/उपसर्गार्थ) + vāhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), द्वितीया (Acc. 2), एकवचन (sg.); अव्ययीभावः: सवाहनाम् = with (your) vehicle

Speaker

Messengers/warriors of Śumbha and Niśumbha (addressing the Goddess)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Durgā

Role: destructive

Characters & Entities

• Parvati
• Shumbha
• Nishumbha

FAQs

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

It highlights the arrogance of asuric power that threatens the Divine Mother, setting the stage for the triumph of Shiva’s Shakti—showing that worldly force cannot overrule dharma supported by Pati (Shiva) and Shakti.

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

Though the line addresses the Goddess, the Uma-saṃhitā frames Devi as inseparable from Shiva; worship of the Linga (Saguna focus) naturally includes reverence to Shiva’s Shakti, through whom protection and the restoration of dharma are manifested.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to seek refuge in Shiva-Shakti through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and maintain sattvic courage; when facing threats, steady the mind in devotion rather than fear.