Shloka 15

शिशुकस्य शिवशास्त्रप्राप्तिः (Śiśuka’s Attainment of Śaiva Teaching and Grace)

Devanagari script

उपलाल्याथ सुप्रीत्या पुत्रमालिंग्य सादरम् । दुःखिता विललापाथ स्मृत्वा नैर्धन्यमात्मनः

Transliteration

upalālyātha suprītyā putramāliṃgya sādaram | duḥkhitā vilalāpātha smṛtvā nairdhanyamātmanaḥ

Translation

Then, with heartfelt affection, she lovingly caressed her son and embraced him with reverence. Yet, distressed within, she began to lament, remembering her own poverty.

Word by Word

• upalālya: having caressed/soothed
• upalālya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa-√lāl (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), from causative sense of √lāl; indeclinable verbal form; action prior to main verb

• atha: then
• atha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/क्रमसूचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), sequential connector

• suprītyā: with great affection
• suprītyā: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: suprīti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• putram: the son
• putram: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: putra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• āliṅgya: having embraced
• āliṅgya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√liṅg (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), from √liṅg ‘to embrace’; indeclinable verbal form; action prior to main verb

• sādaram: respectfully/with care
• sādaram: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sādara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); used adverbially (क्रियाविशेषणवत्)

• duḥkhitā: distressed
• duḥkhitā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: duḥkhita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• vilalāpa: lamented
• vilalāpa: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-√lap (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• atha: then
• atha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/क्रमसूचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), sequential connector

• smṛtvā: having remembered
• smṛtvā: Hetu (हेतु/Cause)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √smṛ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), from √smṛ ‘to remember’; indeclinable verbal form; cause/preceding action

• nairdhanyam: poverty
• nairdhanyam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nairdhanya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• ātmanaḥ: of herself
• ātmanaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya, within the Vayu Samhita narrative)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Annapūrṇā

Role: nurturing

FAQs

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

It highlights how intense worldly lack (nairdhanya) becomes a form of inner bondage (pāśa): even amid love for family, the mind can be seized by grief. In Shaiva Siddhanta, such sorrow is transformed by turning the heart toward Pati (Śiva), the liberator of the bound soul (paśu).

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

The verse shows the household mind oscillating between affection and anxiety; Saguna Śiva worship (as Liṅga) provides a stable refuge where fear of lack is offered into devotion. Remembering Śiva as the compassionate Lord helps loosen attachment to external conditions and strengthens surrender.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—especially during distress, along with simple Liṅga-pūjā (water/leaf offering) and wearing vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) as a reminder to meet suffering with detachment and faith.