Shloka 24

नारीसन्देहभञ्जक-शम्भ्ववतारकथा

The Account of Śambhu’s Incarnation that Dispels Doubts Concerning Women

Devanagari script

दध्रे भिक्षुस्वरूपं हि महालीलो महेश्वरः । सर्वथा भक्तसुखदो निरुपाधिः स्वयं सदा

Transliteration

dadhre bhikṣusvarūpaṃ hi mahālīlo maheśvaraḥ | sarvathā bhaktasukhado nirupādhiḥ svayaṃ sadā

Translation

दध्रे भिक्षुस्वरूपं हि महालीलो महेश्वरः । सर्वथा भक्तसुखदो निरुपाधिः स्वयं सदा ॥

Word by Word

• दध्रे: assumed; bore
• दध्रे: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (परोक्शभूत/Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, आत्मनेपद — Perfect, 3rd person, Singular, Ātmanepada

• भिक्षुस्वरूपम्: the form of a mendicant
• भिक्षुस्वरूपम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भिक्षु (प्रातिपदिक) + स्वरूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन — Neuter, Accusative, Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: भिक्षोः स्वरूपम्

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), निश्चय/हेतु (indeed/for)

• महालीलः: of great play (sportive)
• महालीलः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + लीला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन — Masculine, Nominative, Singular; कर्मधारय: महती लीला यस्य/महालीलः; विशेषण ‘महेश्वरः’

• महेश्वरः: Maheśvara
• महेश्वरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महेश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन — Masculine, Nominative, Singular; तत्पुरुष: महान् ईश्वरः

• सर्वथा: in every way
• सर्वथा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, प्रकारवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: in every way)

• भक्तसुखदः: giver of happiness to devotees
• भक्तसुखदः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भक्त (प्रातिपदिक) + सुख (प्रातिपदिक) + द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन — Masculine, Nominative, Singular; चतुर्थी/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषार्थ: भक्तेभ्यः/भक्तानां सुखं ददाति इति; विशेषण ‘महेश्वरः’

• निरुपाधिः: without limiting adjuncts; unconditioned
• निरुपाधिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निरुपाधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन — Masculine, Nominative, Singular; विशेषण ‘महेश्वरः’

• स्वयम्: himself
• स्वयम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वयम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, आत्मार्थ/स्वतन्त्रता-बोधक (reflexive/emphatic adverb: himself)

• सदा: always
• सदा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (temporal adverb)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Bhikṣāṭana

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: The verse reflects the widespread sthala-purāṇa motif of Śiva arriving as a bhikṣu to test, conceal, and finally bless devotees—an archetype used to explain local shrines and the Lord’s accessibility.

Significance: Teaches that the transcendent Maheśvara is also immanent and approachable; humility and hospitality to the ‘unknown guest’ become vehicles of grace.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that Shiva may appear in humble, worldly forms (like a bhikshu) out of compassion, yet His true nature remains nirupādhi—beyond all limitations—so devotion to Him leads the devotee toward inner freedom and grace.

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

The verse supports Saguna worship by showing Shiva taking an accessible form for devotees, while simultaneously affirming the Nirguna truth (nirupādhi). Linga-worship similarly holds both: a visible support for devotion and the formless, limitless Maheshvara it signifies.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice bhakti with humility: repeat the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) while contemplating that Shiva can appear in any form, yet remains beyond all upādhis; offer simple, ego-less worship (manasa-puja or linga-archana) focused on pleasing the Lord.