Shloka 16

Devanagari script

क्वचित्सिंहैर्वृकैर्व्याघ्रैर्मशकैश्च सुदारुणैः । क्वचिन्महाजलौकाभिः क्वचिच्चाजगरैस्तथा

Transliteration

kvacitsiṃhairvṛkairvyāghrairmaśakaiśca sudāruṇaiḥ | kvacinmahājalaukābhiḥ kvaciccājagaraistathā

Translation

ある所には獅子・狼・虎がいて、さらにこの上なく凶暴な蚊も群れていた。別の所には巨大なヒルが、また別の所には大蛇もいた。

Word by Word

• क्वचित्: somewhere
• क्वचित्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्वचित् (अव्यय)
• Form: देश/काल-अव्यय (adverb)

• सिंहैः: by lions
• सिंहैः: Karana (करण/Instrument/Agent in passive sense)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिंह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• वृकैः: by wolves
• वृकैः: Karana (करण/Instrument/Agent in passive sense)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• व्याघ्रैः: by tigers
• व्याघ्रैः: Karana (करण/Instrument/Agent in passive sense)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्याघ्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• मशकैः: by mosquitoes
• मशकैः: Karana (करण/Instrument/Agent in passive sense)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मशक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• सु-दरुणैः: very cruel/fierce
• सु-दरुणैः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + दारुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; 'सु' उपसर्गेण तीव्रता (very)

• क्वचित्: somewhere
• क्वचित्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्वचित् (अव्यय)
• Form: देश/काल-अव्यय (adverb)

• महा-जलौकाभिः: by huge leeches
• महा-जलौकाभिः: Karana (करण/Instrument/Agent in passive sense)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + जलौका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (महती जलौका)

• क्वचित्: somewhere
• क्वचित्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्वचित् (अव्यय)
• Form: देश/काल-अव्यय (adverb)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• अजगरैः: by pythons/huge serpents
• अजगरैः: Karana (करण/Instrument/Agent in passive sense)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अजगर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• तथा: likewise/also
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमान/समुच्चय-अव्यय (adverb: 'thus/likewise')

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

FAQs

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

The verse portrays a landscape filled with threats, suggesting that worldly existence (saṃsāra) is fraught with fear and disturbance; Shaiva teaching emphasizes that steadiness of mind and devotion to Pati (Shiva) enables one to pass beyond such pasha-like obstructions.

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

By highlighting danger and instability, it implicitly points the devotee toward a stable refuge—Saguna Shiva worship (including Linga-upāsanā) as a protective focus where the mind gathers, fear subsides, and the devotee remains oriented to Shiva’s grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to hold to japa of the Panchākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” during fear or adversity, along with maintaining Shaiva marks like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and disciplined breath/mind control to remain unwavering.