Shloka 20

Devīkṛta-praśna-varṇana (Description of the Goddess’s Questions) / देवीकृतप्रश्नवर्णनम्

Devanagari script

तदा सर्वजगन्माता भर्तुरंकं समाश्रिता । विलोक्य वदनं भर्तुरिदमाहः तपोधनाः

Transliteration

tadā sarvajaganmātā bharturaṃkaṃ samāśritā | vilokya vadanaṃ bharturidamāhaḥ tapodhanāḥ

Translation

そのとき、全宇宙の母は夫の膝に身を寄せ、主の御顔を仰ぎ見て、次の言葉を語った――おお、苦行の功徳に富む聖仙たちよ。

Word by Word

• tadā: then
• tadā: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, कालवाचक (then/at that time)

• sarva-jagan-mātā: the mother of all the world
• sarva-jagan-mātā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + jagat (प्रातिपदिक) + mātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समास: सर्वस्य जगतः माता (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• bhartuḥ: of (her) husband
• bhartuḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhartṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन

• aṅkam: lap
• aṅkam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṅka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• samāśritā: having taken refuge in/leaned on
• samāśritā: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ā-śri (धातु)
• Form: भूतकालिक कृदन्त (क्त/PPP), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; उपसर्ग: सम्+आ-, धातु: श्रि (to resort/lean on)

• vilokya: having looked at
• vilokya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-lok (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund), उपसर्ग: वि-

• vadanam: face
• vadanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vadana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• bhartuḥ: of (her) husband
• bhartuḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhartṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• idam: this (speech/statement)
• idam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• āha: said
• āha: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ah (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• tapodhanāḥ: she whose wealth is austerity (the ascetic lady)
• tapodhanāḥ: Karta-anvaya (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tapas (प्रातिपदिक) + dhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समास: तपो धनं यस्याः सा (बहुव्रीहि)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya; introducing Parvati’s speech)

Shaiva Theology

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Umā

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Parvati
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Umā (the universal Mother) approaching Śiva with intimate devotion, showing that the highest truths are revealed within loving surrender to Pati (Śiva), the liberating Lord.

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

Though the verse is narrative, it highlights Saguna Śiva—Śiva as the accessible Lord in relationship—through whom devotees are led toward the ultimate, transcendent reality taught in the Kailāsa discourses.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is bhakti with attentive contemplation—gazing upon Śiva’s form (dhyāna) and approaching him in humility—often supported in Shaiva practice by japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and reverent worship.