Shloka 15

Adhyaya 88 — The Manifestation of the Matrikas and the Slaying of Raktabija

Sanskrit

माहेश्वरी वृषारूढा त्रिशूलवरधीरिणी ।

महाहिवलया प्राप्ता चन्द्रलेखाविभूषणा ॥

Transliteration

māheśvarī vṛṣārūḍhā triśūlavaradhīriṇī |

mahāhivalayā prāptā candralekhāvibhūṣaṇā ||

Translation

वृषभावर आरूढ, त्रिशूल धारण करून वर देणारी माहेश्वरी आली; ती महान् सर्पाभूषणांनी भूषित व चंद्रकलेच्या चिन्हाने अलंकृत होती।

Word by Word

• माहेश्वरी: Māheśvarī
• माहेश्वरी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माहेश्वरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम (proper name)

• वृषारूढा: mounted on a bull
• वृषारूढा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वृष-आरूढ (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; ‘वृषे आरूढा’ (mounted on a bull)

• त्रिशूलवरधीरिणी: bearing a splendid trident
• त्रिशूलवरधीरिणी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रिशूल-वर-धारिणी (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; ‘त्रिशूलं वरं धारयति’ (bearing an excellent trident)

• महाहिवलया: with a great serpent-coil/bracelet
• महाहिवलया: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाहि-वलय (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; ‘महाहेः वलयम्’ (with a great serpent as bracelet/coil)

• प्राप्ता: arrived
• प्राप्ता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-आप् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृत् (past participle/क्त), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘आगता/उपगता’ (having come)

• चन्द्रलेखाविभूषणा: adorned with a crescent streak
• चन्द्रलेखाविभूषणा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चन्द्रलेखा-विभूषण (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; ‘चन्द्रलेखया विभूषिता’ (adorned with a crescent mark)

Speakers

• Narrative voice within Devi Mahatmyam

Verse Rasa

{ "primaryRasa": "vira", "secondaryRasa": "raudra", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

Primary Deities

• Māheśvarī
• Śiva (Īśa)

Shakti Aspects

• Māheśvarī (Matrika)

Key Themes

• Shaktism
• Matrikas
• Shaiva iconography
• Protection and boon-giving

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

Power that destroys (trident) is also power that blesses (vara): dharmic force is not blind aggression but a balanced sovereignty that removes harm and supports devotion and welfare.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana (5 characteristics)?

Narrative theology (Vaṃśānucarita) with iconographic precision, serving as a ritual and contemplative template for understanding Śiva’s energy as active in the Devi’s army.

What is the esoteric significance?

Bull suggests dharma and steadiness; serpent ornaments suggest mastery over primal life-force; crescent moon suggests time/transformation—Māheśvarī embodies controlled dissolution that enables renewal.