Shloka 41

विष्णूत्पत्तिवर्णनम्

Description of the Origin/Manifestation of Viṣṇu

Devanagari script

ततस्स पुरुषश्शंभुं प्रणम्य परमेश्वरम् । नामानि कुरु मे स्वामिन्वद कर्मं जगाविति

Transliteration

tatassa puruṣaśśaṃbhuṃ praṇamya parameśvaram | nāmāni kuru me svāminvada karmaṃ jagāviti

Translation

Alors cet être se prosterna devant Śambhu, le Seigneur suprême, et dit : «Ô Maître, confère-moi des noms et révèle-moi le devoir qui m’est prescrit».

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then, thereafter
• tataḥ: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (प्रातिपदिक/अव्यय-रूप)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb) = ‘thereupon/then’

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम (pronoun)

• puruṣaḥ: the man/person
• puruṣaḥ: Kartā (कर्ता) (apposition to saḥ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puruṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• śambhum: Śambhu (Śiva)
• śambhum: Karma (कर्म) of praṇamya
• Type: Noun
• Root: śambhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेष-नाम

• praṇamya: having bowed down
• praṇamya: Kriyā-samānādhikaraṇa (पूर्वकाले क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√nam (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having bowed’

• parameśvaram: the Supreme Lord
• parameśvaram: Karma (कर्म) (apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parameśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; संबोधनार्थ-विशेष्य (object in apposition to śambhum)

• nāmāni: names
• nāmāni: Karma (कर्म) of kuru
• Type: Noun
• Root: nāman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• kuru: do/make
• kuru: Kriyā (मुख्यक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• me: for me / my
• me: Sampradāna/Adhikāra (सम्प्रदान/अधिकार)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th/Genitive) एकवचन; enclitic

• svāmin: O Lord/Master
• svāmin: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: svāmin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, संबोधन (Vocative), एकवचन

• vada: say, tell
• vada: Kriyā (आज्ञार्थ)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vad (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• karma: the act/deed (to be done)
• karma: Karma (कर्म) of vada
• Type: Noun
• Root: karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• jagau: he said/spoke
• jagau: Kriyā (वाक्य-समापन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √gai (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• iti: thus
• iti: Vākyārtha-dyotaka (वाक्यार्थ-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण-समाप्ति निपात (quotative particle)

Speaker

An unnamed created being (puruṣa) addressing Lord Shiva (Śambhu) within the Sṛṣṭi narrative

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Mantra Metadata

Mantra: नमानि कुरु मे स्वामिन् वद कर्म जगाव इति

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Commissioning moment in sṛṣṭi: the created being turns toward Pati for designation and function

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It models Śaiva surrender: the soul/being approaches Śiva as Parameśvara and seeks right identity (nāma) and right action (karma) under His lordship, implying that true order and purpose arise from devotion to Pati (the Lord).

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

The verse highlights Saguna devotion—bowing to Śambhu as the accessible Supreme. In Linga-worship, the devotee similarly approaches Śiva with humility, seeking guidance so life and duty align with His will.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is praṇāma (prostration) and prayerful inquiry before worship—begin pūjā or japa (e.g., “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) by mentally offering oneself and asking Śiva to direct one’s dharma and conduct.