Shloka 16

काम-शक्र-संवादः / Dialogue of Kāma and Śakra

Indra

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्येतन्मघवद्वाक्यं श्रुत्वा तु मकरध्वजाः । उवाच प्रेमगभीरं वाक्यं सुस्मितपूर्वकम्

Transliteration

brahmovāca | ityetanmaghavadvākyaṃ śrutvā tu makaradhvajāḥ | uvāca premagabhīraṃ vākyaṃ susmitapūrvakam

Translation

ブラフマーは言った。マガヴァト（インドラ）の言葉を聞くや、マカラドヴァジャ（カーマ、愛の神）は、やさしい微笑みを先に、情愛深き言葉で答えた。

Word by Word

• brahmā: Brahmā
• brahmā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; nominative singular

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; parasmaipada

• iti: thus
• iti: Discourse marker (उद्धरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उद्धरण-चिह्न (quotative particle)

• etat: this
• etat: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; accusative singular; qualifying vākyaṃ

• maghavat-vākyam: the speech of Maghavat (Indra)
• maghavat-vākyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maghavat (प्रातिपदिक) + vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (मघवतः वाक्यम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; accusative singular

• śrutvā: having heard
• śrutvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √śru (धातु) → śrutvā (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय, अव्ययभाव)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (gerund); ‘having heard’

• tu: then / however
• tu: Discourse particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विरोध/विशेष

• makaradhvajāḥ: Kāma (the one with the makara-banner)
• makaradhvajāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: makara-dhvaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि-समास (मकरः ध्वजः यस्य सः = ‘whose banner is a makara’); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन/बहुवचन-रूपेण पाठभेदः; here as speaker: प्रथमा, एकवचन (intended: Kāma)

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; parasmaipada

• prema-gabhīram: deep with affection
• prema-gabhīram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prema (प्रातिपदिक) + gabhīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (प्रेम्णा/प्रेमयुक्तं गभीरम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; qualifying vākyaṃ

• vākyam: words / speech
• vākyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; accusative singular

• su-smita-pūrvakam: with a gentle smile
• su-smita-pūrvakam: Adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: su-smita (प्रातिपदिक) + pūrvaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्ययवत् क्रियाविशेषणम्; ‘with a gentle smile beforehand’

Speaker

Brahma

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Indra (Maghavat)
• Kama (Makaradhvaja)

FAQs

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

This verse frames a pivotal dialogue: even powerful devas like Indra and cosmic forces like Kāma operate within the higher sovereignty of Śiva. The calm, smile-led reply highlights disciplined intention—emotion and desire must be guided, not allowed to rule.

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

Though the verse is narrative, it prepares the reader for the Shaiva teaching that Saguna Śiva (worshiped as the Liṅga and as the Lord with attributes) is the supreme regulator of all functions—creation, rulership, and desire—so devotees take refuge in Śiva rather than in transient deva-powers.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The implied takeaway is steadiness before action: approach worship and vows with a composed mind. A practical Shaiva application is japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) before undertaking any desire-driven intention, aligning kāma with dharma and devotion.