Shloka 28

Arjuna–Gaṇa Saṃvāda: Bāṇādhikāra, Tāpasa-veṣa, and the Ethics of Tapas (अर्जुन-गणसंवादः)

Devanagari script

नीत्वा बाणमिमं भिल्ल स्वामी ते वाहिनीपतिः । निजालयं सुखं यातु विलंबः क्रियते कथम्

Transliteration

nītvā bāṇamimaṃ bhilla svāmī te vāhinīpatiḥ | nijālayaṃ sukhaṃ yātu vilaṃbaḥ kriyate katham

Translation

“Wahai Bhilla, bawalah anak panah ini. Tuanku, panglima pasukanmu, hendaklah pulang dengan sejahtera ke kediamannya sendiri. Mengapa masih berlengah?”

Word by Word

• नीत्वा: having taken
• नीत्वा: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नी (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (gerund), पूर्वक्रिया (having taken/led)

• बाणम्: arrow
• बाणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• इमम्: this
• इमम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (to बाणम्)

• भिल्ल: O Bhilla (hunter)
• भिल्ल: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भिल्ल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (vocative), एकवचन

• स्वामी: the lord/master
• स्वामी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वामिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• ते: your
• ते: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्वद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• वाहिनीपतिः: commander of the army
• वाहिनीपतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाहिनी + पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—वाहिन्याः पतिः (सेनापतिः)

• निजालयम्: (to) his own abode
• निजालयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निज + आलय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; समासः—निजः आलयः (स्वकीय-गृहः)

• सुखम्: happily/with ease
• सुखम्: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (क्रियाविशेषणवत्), एकवचन; ‘सुखं यातु’ = happily

• यातु: let (him) go
• यातु: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (आज्ञार्थ/imperative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• विलम्बः: delay
• विलम्बः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विलम्ब (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• क्रियते: is made/is done
• क्रियते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान/Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive sense): ‘is being done’

• कथम्: how?
• कथम्: Praśna (प्रश्न)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कथम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रश्नार्थक क्रियाविशेषण (how?)

Speaker

A messenger/attendant addressing the Bhilla (as narrated in the Shatarudrasaṃhitā dialogue frame by Suta Goswami)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse emphasizes promptness in dharmic duty: when a rightful command aligned with divine order is given, hesitation (vilamba) weakens resolve and obstructs auspicious outcomes—an attitude Shaiva tradition links with steadiness (niṣṭhā) on the path to Shiva.

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

While not directly describing Linga-ritual, it reflects Saguna Shiva’s governance through order and duty: devotion is shown not only by offerings but by timely, disciplined action performed as service to the Lord’s will.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is sankalpa with immediacy: after japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” one should carry out a vowed dharmic act without procrastination, maintaining focused intent as an offering (seva) to Shiva.