Shloka 7

Strī-svabhāva-kathanam: Nārada–Pañcacūḍā-saṃvāda

Discourse on Dispassion via the Nārada–Pañcacūḍā Dialogue

Devanagari script

एवमुक्ता तु सा विप्रं प्रत्युवाच वराप्सरा । विषये सति वक्ष्यामि समर्थां मन्यसेऽथ माम्

Transliteration

evamuktā tu sā vipraṃ pratyuvāca varāpsarā | viṣaye sati vakṣyāmi samarthāṃ manyase'tha mām

Translation

Assim interpelada, aquela excelente apsarā respondeu ao brāhmaṇa: “Se este assunto deve de fato ser dito, eu o direi—desde que me consideres competente (para falar).”

Word by Word

• evam: thus
• evam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; adverb (क्रियाविशेषण) ‘thus/in this manner’

• uktā: having been addressed / spoken to
• uktā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/participial)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vac (धातु) + ta (कृत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: Kṛdanta past passive participle (क्त/क्त-प्रत्यय), Strīliṅga, Prathamā-vibhakti, Ekavacana; agrees with ‘sā’

• tu: then/but
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Nipāta/particle (निपात) ‘but/indeed’

• sā: she
• sā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā-vibhakti, Ekavacana; demonstrative pronoun referring to the apsaras

• vipram: the brāhmaṇa (Nārada)
• vipram: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vipra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā-vibhakti, Ekavacana

• pratyuvāca: replied
• pratyuvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prati-√vac (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ-lakāra (perfect), Parasmaipada, Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana

• varā-apsarā: the excellent apsaras
• varā-apsarā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varā + apsaras (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā-vibhakti, Ekavacana; karmadhāraya: ‘varā apsarā’ (excellent apsaras)

• viṣaye: in the matter/topic
• viṣaye: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Saptamī-vibhakti, Ekavacana

• sati: when it is (so) / if it is relevant
• sati: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/locative absolute)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: as (धातु) + śatṛ (कृत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: Kṛdanta present participle (शतृ), Puṃliṅga/napuṃsaka? here locative singular agreeing with ‘viṣaye’ as locative absolute: Saptamī, Ekavacana; construction: सति (when/if it is)

• vakṣyāmi: I will tell
• vakṣyāmi: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Luṭ-lakāra (periphrastic future), Parasmaipada, Uttama-puruṣa (1st), Ekavacana

• samarthām: capable
• samarthām: Karma (कर्म/Object complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: samartha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā-vibhakti, Ekavacana; predicate adjective with ‘mām’ in object-complement sense

• manyase: you think/consider
• manyase: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: man (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (present), Ātmanepada, Madhyama-puruṣa (2nd), Ekavacana

• atha: then
• atha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; discourse particle (निपात) ‘then/now’

• mām: me
• mām: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga? (pronoun not gendered in same way; treated as common), Dvitīyā-vibhakti (accusative/2nd), Ekavacana

Speaker

An excellent apsarā (varāpsarā)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

FAQs

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

It highlights adhikāra (fitness to speak and receive sacred discourse) and humility—qualities valued in Shaiva tradition before deeper teachings on Pati (Shiva), pashu, and pasha are unfolded.

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

While not naming the Liṅga directly, it sets the tone for transmitted instruction: in Shaiva worship, right understanding is received through qualified dialogue, leading to proper Saguna Shiva devotion and ultimately insight into Shiva’s supreme nature.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is preparedness and reverence before instruction—approaching a teacher with humility and then applying teachings through japa (e.g., Om Namaḥ Śivāya), along with disciplined conduct.