Shloka 3

Vaiśyanātha-avatāra-kathā

The Account of Śiva’s Manifestation as Vaiśyanātha

Devanagari script

महाविभवसम्पन्ना सुधनाढ्या महोज्ज्वला । नानारत्नपरिच्छिन्न शृङ्गाररसनिर्भरा

Transliteration

mahāvibhavasampannā sudhanāḍhyā mahojjvalā | nānāratnaparicchinna śṛṅgārarasanirbharā

Translation

അവൾ മഹാവൈഭവസമ്പന്ന, അപാരധനസമൃദ്ധ, അത്യന്തം ദീപ്തിമതി—നാനാരത്നങ്ങളാൽ അലങ്കരിക്കപ്പെട്ട്, മംഗളശൃംഗാരരസത്തിൽ നിറഞ്ഞവൾ.

Word by Word

• महाविभवसम्पन्ना: endowed with great splendor/wealth
• महाविभवसम्पन्ना: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाविभव + सम्पन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (महान् विभवः यस्याः सा / विभवेन सम्पन्ना)

• सुधनाढ्या: rich in good wealth
• सुधनाढ्या: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुधन + आढ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (सुधनेन आढ्या)

• महोज्ज्वला: very radiant
• महोज्ज्वला: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा + उज्ज्वल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—कर्मधारयः (महती च सा उज्ज्वला)

• नाना-रत्न-परिच्छिन्ना: adorned with various jewels
• नाना-रत्न-परिच्छिन्ना: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नाना + रत्न + परिच्छिन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (नानाविधैः रत्नैः परिच्छिन्ना = adorned/covered with various jewels)

• शृङ्गार-रस-निर्भरा: filled with the rasa of love/beauty
• शृङ्गार-रस-निर्भरा: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शृङ्गार + रस + निर्भर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (शृङ्गाररसेन निर्भरा = full of erotic sentiment)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Descriptive amplification of Mahānandā’s worldly splendor; functions as narrative contrast—external prosperity as a potential pāśa (bondage) that Śiva’s grace can transmute.

Characters & Entities

• Parvati

FAQs

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

It highlights the sacred, auspicious radiance of the Divine Mother (Shakti), showing that divine beauty and prosperity are expressions of Shiva’s grace and are meant to elevate devotion rather than mere worldly attraction.

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

By praising Shakti’s luminous, ornamented form, the text supports Saguna-upasana—devotion through perceivable divine attributes—complementing Linga worship where the formless (Nirguna) is approached through a holy symbol and associated divine manifestations.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is dhyana (visual meditation) on Shiva-Shakti’s auspicious form while repeating the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” offering flowers and lamp (dīpa) as external reflections of inner radiance.