Shloka 14

Saṃjñā–Chāyā Upākhyāna: Sūrya-tejas, Substitution, and the Birth of Manu, Yama, and Yamunā

Devanagari script

संज्ञाऽनु प्रार्थिता छाया सा स्वपुत्रेऽपि नित्यशः । चकाराभ्यधिकं स्नेहं न तथा पूर्वजे सुते

Transliteration

saṃjñā'nu prārthitā chāyā sā svaputre'pi nityaśaḥ | cakārābhyadhikaṃ snehaṃ na tathā pūrvaje sute

Translation

Así, instigada por Saṁjñā, Chāyā, día tras día, mostró mayor afecto hacia su propio hijo, mas no así hacia el hijo mayor, nacido primero.

Word by Word

• saṃjñā: Saṃjñā (name of a woman)
• saṃjñā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṃjñā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• anu: after, following
• anu: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: anu (अव्यय)
• Form: उपसर्ग/अव्यय (preverb/particle), here: ‘after/according to; following’

• prārthitā: (having been) requested
• prārthitā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√arth (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त-क्त (Past Passive Participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘having been requested’

• chāyā: Chāyā (shadow; name of a woman)
• chāyā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: chāyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• sā: she
• sā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम (pronoun)

• sva-putre: toward/in her own son
• sva-putre: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + putra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: ‘स्वस्य पुत्रे’

• api: even, also
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), समुच्चय/अपि=‘even/also’

• nityaśaḥ: always
• nityaśaḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nityaśas (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• cakāra: made, showed
• cakāra: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• abhyadhikam: excessive, greater
• abhyadhikam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: abhyadhika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying sneham)

• sneham: affection
• sneham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sneha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (commonly masc), द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात (negation particle)

• tathā: so, in that way
• tathā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb): ‘thus/so, in that manner’

• pūrvaje: in/with the elder (son)
• pūrvaje: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pūrvaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन; ‘in/with the elder-born’

• sute: in/with (her) son
• sute: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: suta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

• Samjna
• Chhaya

FAQs

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

The verse highlights how partiality and attachment (rāga) distort dharma; Shaiva teaching emphasizes inner purity and even-mindedness so the bound soul (paśu) is not tightened by the fetters (pāśa) of favoritism and ego.

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

Though narrative in tone, it supports Saguna Shiva worship by teaching ethical steadiness: devotion to Shiva is meant to refine conduct—removing bias and cultivating equanimity, which is a prerequisite for mature bhakti and disciplined worship.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is daily japa of the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with a vow of impartial conduct (samatva), optionally supported by Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and rudrākṣa as reminders to restrain attachment.