Shloka 9

नभगोपाख्यानम्

Nabhaga-Upākhyāna: The Account of Nabhaga and Shiva-Jñāna

Devanagari script

भ्रातृन्विलोक्य नभगो विभक्तान्सकलान्निजान् । दायार्थी प्राह तान्स्नेहादिक्ष्वाकुप्रमुखान्मुने

Transliteration

bhrātṛnvilokya nabhago vibhaktānsakalānnijān | dāyārthī prāha tānsnehādikṣvākupramukhānmune

Translation

தன் சகோதரர்கள் அனைவரும் தத்தம் பங்குகளுடன் பிரிக்கப்பட்டிருப்பதைக் கண்டு, நபாகன் தன் உரிய வாரிசுப் பங்கை நாடி, அன்புடன் அவர்களிடம் பேசினான்—முனிவரே, இக்ஷ்வாகுவை முதலில் கொண்டு.

Word by Word

• भ्रातॄन्: brothers
• भ्रातॄन्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भ्रातृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचनम्

• विलोक्य: having seen
• विलोक्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-लोक् (धातु) + ल्यप् (कृदन्त)
• Form: ल्यपन्त-अव्ययकृदन्तम् (gerund): ‘having looked at/seen’

• नभगः: Nabhaga
• नभगः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नभग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्

• विभक्तान्: already divided/apportioned
• विभक्तान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि-भज् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्तः भूतकृदन्तः (past participle) विशेषणम्; पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया, बहुवचनम् (भ्रातॄन् इति विशेष्य)

• सकलान्: all
• सकलान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सकल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया, बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• निजान्: his own
• निजान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया, बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• दायार्थी: seeking his share (inheritance)
• दायार्थी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दाय-अर्थिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः (चतुर्थी/षष्ठीभावः: दायस्य अर्थी = inheritance-seeker); पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्

• प्राह: said
• प्राह: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-आह्/अह् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकारः (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd), एकवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

• तान्: to them / those (brothers)
• तान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया, बहुवचनम्; सर्वनाम

• स्नेहात्: out of affection
• स्नेहात्: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्नेह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पञ्चमी-एकवचनान्त-निपातितम् (ablative used adverbially): ‘out of affection’

• इक्ष्वाकु-प्रमुखान्: those headed by Ikṣvāku
• इक्ष्वाकु-प्रमुखान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इक्ष्वाकु-प्रमुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः (इक्ष्वाकुः प्रमुखः येषां ते); पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया, बहुवचनम्; विशेष्यः ‘तान्’

• मुने: O sage
• मुने: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, सम्बोधन-विभक्तिः (Vocative), एकवचनम्

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• Nabhaga
• Ikshvaku

FAQs

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

The verse highlights dharma in worldly duties—seeking one’s rightful share without hatred—showing that orderly conduct and goodwill support a life that can later mature into devotion to Pati (Śiva).

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

Though the verse is narrative, it frames the ethical ground (dharma) from which Saguna-Śiva worship becomes steady: a devotee approaches Śiva with sincerity, not with envy or disorderly grasping.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

No direct ritual is prescribed in this line; the practical takeaway is to cultivate snehā (benevolent intent) and truthful speech—qualities that traditionally accompany japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and disciplined worship.