Shloka 9

सेवातत्त्वप्रश्नः — The Question of Whom to Serve (Sevā) for the Removal of Suffering

Devanagari script

देवा ऊचुः । नित्यं सेवा तु कस्यैव कार्या दुःखपहारिणी

Transliteration

devā ūcuḥ | nityaṃ sevā tu kasyaiva kāryā duḥkhapahāriṇī

Translation

Les dieux dirent : «Qui donc devons-nous servir sans cesse—ce service qui enlève la peine ?»

Word by Word

• devāḥ: the gods
• devāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• ūcuḥ: said
• ūcuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (लिट्/perfect), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन)

• nityam: always
• nityam: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nitya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverbial accusative (क्रियाविशेषण-रूपेण द्वितीया एकवचन)

• sevā: service
• sevā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sevā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• tu: indeed/but
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात)

• kasya: of whom
• kasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Interrogative pronoun (किम्), Masculine/Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• eva: indeed/only
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle (अवधारण-निपात)

• kāryā: to be done/should be performed
• kāryā: Kriyā-pūrakā (क्रियापूरका)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kārya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); predicate adjective agreeing with sevā

• duḥkha-pahāriṇī: removing sorrow
• duḥkha-pahāriṇī: Kriyā-pūrakā (क्रियापूरका)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: duḥkha + pahāriṇī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: 'removing (pahāriṇī) sorrow (duḥkha)' qualifying sevā

Speaker

The Devas (gods)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: The verse articulates the core Śaiva Siddhānta orientation: nitya-sevā to Pati (Śiva) as the sorrow-dispelling means leading toward grace (anugraha).

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames the Devas’ key inquiry: true nitya-sevā is that which destroys duḥkha (suffering). In Shaiva understanding, such sorrow-removing service ultimately points to devotion to Pati (Lord Shiva), whose grace loosens bondage and grants inner peace.

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

The verse seeks the proper object of constant worship. In the Shiva Purana’s devotional framework, Saguna worship—especially Shiva as the Linga—provides a steady, accessible focus for nitya-sevā, leading the devotee from distress toward Shiva’s grace and liberation.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is daily Shiva-sevā: regular Linga-pūjā with mantra-japa (notably the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and simple disciplined worship as a remedy for mental and karmic sorrow.