Shloka 47

सती-शिवचरित्रप्रसङ्गः / The Account of Satī and Śiva’s Divine Conduct

Prelude to Detailed Narrative

Devanagari script

इत्थं विचार्य सीता सा भूत्वा रामसमीपतः । आगमत्तत्परीक्षार्थं सती मोहपरायणा

Transliteration

itthaṃ vicārya sītā sā bhūtvā rāmasamīpataḥ | āgamattatparīkṣārthaṃ satī mohaparāyaṇā

Translation

Setelah berfikir demikian, Satī mengambil rupa Sītā lalu mendekati Rāma; didorong oleh khayal dan kekeliruan, dia datang untuk menguji baginda.

Word by Word

• ittham: thus
• ittham: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ittham (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय)

• vicārya: having reflected
• vicārya: Kriyā (क्रिया-पूर्वक)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi + car (धा॒तु) + ya (ल्यप्)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्/क्त्वार्थ), indeclinable; 'having considered'

• sītā: Sītā
• sītā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sītā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1 विभक्ति), Singular (एकवचन)

• sā: she
• sā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (सर्वनाम), Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1 विभक्ति), Singular (एकवचन)

• bhūtvā: having become
• bhūtvā: Kriyā (क्रिया-पूर्वक)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धा॒तु) + ktvā (क्त्वा)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), indeclinable

• rāma-samīpataḥ: from near Rāma / to Rāma's vicinity
• rāma-samīpataḥ: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक) + samīpa (प्रातिपदिक) + tas (तस्)
• Form: Avyayībhāva: rāma-samīpataḥ = 'from/near Rāma'; adverbial ablatival sense (तस्-प्रत्यय)

• āgamat: she came
• āgamat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā + gam (धा॒तु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• tat-parīkṣā-artham: for the purpose of testing him/that
• tat-parīkṣā-artham: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक) + parīkṣā (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyayībhāva (अव्ययीभाव) with -artham (अर्थम्) expressing purpose; accusative used adverbially: 'for the purpose of testing that'

• satī: Satī
• satī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: satī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1 विभक्ति), Singular (एकवचन)

• moha-parāyaṇā: intent on delusion
• moha-parāyaṇā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: moha (प्रातिपदिक) + parāyaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1 विभक्ति), Singular (एकवचन); Tatpuruṣa: moha-parāyaṇa = 'devoted/intent on delusion'

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Satī episode to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Satī

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Sati
• Rama
• Sita

FAQs

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

The verse highlights how moha (delusion) can cloud even a lofty mind, leading to “testing” what should be met with reverence and discernment. In Shaiva understanding, spiritual maturity grows by replacing doubt-driven impulses with clear recognition of divinity and dharma.

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

This episode underscores the need for śraddhā toward Saguna manifestations of the Divine. Just as devotees approach the Śiva-liṅga with faith rather than suspicion, Satī’s testing attitude is shown as a lapse into delusion—contrary to the devotional posture encouraged in Śaiva practice.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is to counter moha through japa and steadiness of mind—especially Panchākṣarī mantra japa ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya")—cultivating humility and right discernment before engaging in spiritual judgments.