Shloka 47

Vṛṣeśākhya-Śivāvatāra and the Initiation of the Kṣīrasāgara-Manthana

Churning of the Milk Ocean

Devanagari script

ताभ्य पुत्रानजनयद्विष्णुर्वरपराक्रमान् । महीं सर्वां कंपयतो नानायुद्धविशारदान्

Transliteration

tābhya putrānajanayadviṣṇurvaraparākramān | mahīṃ sarvāṃ kaṃpayato nānāyuddhaviśāradān

Translation

അവരിൽ നിന്നു വിഷ്ണു ഉത്തമപരാക്രമമുള്ള പുത്രന്മാരെ ജനിപ്പിച്ചു—നാനാവിധ യുദ്ധങ്ങളിൽ നിപുണർ—അവരുടെ വീര്യത്തിൽ സർവ്വഭൂമി വിറച്ചുപോയി।

Word by Word

• tābhyaḥ: from them (those women)
• tābhyaḥ: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (सर्वनाम), Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Ablative (पञ्चमी/5), Plural (बहुवचन)

• putrān: sons
• putrān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: putra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Plural (बहुवचन)

• ajanayat: begot, produced
• ajanayat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: jan (धातु) [causative: जनयति]
• Form: Causative (णिजन्त), Laṅ (लङ्/imperfect), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• viṣṇuḥ: Viṣṇu
• viṣṇuḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• vara-parākramān: of excellent valor
• vara-parākramān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vara + parākrama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Plural (बहुवचन); agrees with putrān; कर्मधारय: ‘excellent in valor’ / ‘excellent valorous’

• mahīm: the earth
• mahīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• sarvām: entire
• sarvām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); agrees with mahīm

• kaṃpayataḥ: shaking, causing to tremble
• kaṃpayataḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kamp (धातु) + śatṛ (शतृ)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ-कृदन्त), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Plural (बहुवचन); agrees with putrān

• nānā-yuddha-viśāradān: skilled in many kinds of warfare
• nānā-yuddha-viśāradān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nānā + yuddha + viśārada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीyaa/2), Plural (बहुवचन); agrees with putrān; समास: नानाविधेषु युद्धेषु विशारदाः = ‘skilled in various battles’ (सप्तमी-तत्पुरुष sense)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Progeny as a karmic/cosmic instrument: creation of powerful agents that will destabilize loka-order

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Earth (Bhumi)

FAQs

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

It highlights how extraordinary power and martial skill can arise within cosmic order, yet in Shaiva understanding such might remains subordinate to Mahadeva, the supreme Pati, reminding devotees that true refuge is Shiva rather than mere worldly strength.

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

By portraying immense created power (even among divine lineages), the narrative implicitly points to Saguna Shiva as the ultimate Lord who transcends and regulates all manifestations; Linga-worship centers the mind on that supreme source beyond fluctuating power.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Cultivate inner steadiness through japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namah Shivaya) and Tripundra-dharana, so that the mind does not “tremble” with pride or agitation when encountering power, conflict, or success.