Shloka 14

Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Meets Lord Śiva: Devotee as Living Tīrtha and the Lord’s Māyā

Devanagari script

नेत्रे उन्मील्य दद‍ृशे सगणं सोमयागतम् । रुद्रं त्रिलोकैकगुरुं ननाम शिरसा मुनि: ॥ १४ ॥

Transliteration

netre unmīlya dadṛśe sa-gaṇaṁ somayāgatam rudraṁ tri-lokaika-guruṁ nanāma śirasā muniḥ

Translation

కళ్లను తెరిచి ముని ఉమాతో కూడి గణులతో వచ్చిన త్రిలోక ఏకగురు రుద్రుని దర్శించాడు. ఆపై శిరస్సు వంచి నమస్కరించాడు.

Synonyms

• तस्मै: to him
• तस्मै: सम्प्रदान (Sampradāna/Recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम (Pronoun), पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative/4th), एकवचन

• सपर्याम्: worship, service
• सपर्याम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सपर्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन

• व्यदधात्: he performed
• व्यदधात्: क्रिया (Main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + धा (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन, परस्मैपद; अर्थः—‘he performed/arranged’

• सगणाय: to (Śiva) along with his attendants
• सगणाय: सम्प्रदान (Recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स (उपसर्ग/समासाङ्ग) + गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः—तत्पुरुष: ‘गणैः सह’ (together with attendants); पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (Dative), एकवचन

• सहोमया: together with Umā
• सहोमया: सहकारक/सहयोग (Association/Companion)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सह (अव्यय/समासाङ्ग) + उमा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः—तत्पुरुष: ‘उमया सह’ (together with Umā); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन

• स्वागतासनपाद्यार्घ्यगन्धस्रग्धूपदीपकैः: with welcome, seat, water for feet, offering, fragrance, garland, incense, and lamps
• स्वागतासनपाद्यार्घ्यगन्धस्रग्धूपदीपकैः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वागत (प्रातिपदिक) + आसन (प्रातिपदिक) + पाद्य (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्घ्य (प्रातिपदिक) + गन्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + स्रज्/स्रग् (प्रातिपदिक) + धूप (प्रातिपदिक) + दीपक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः—समाहार-द्वन्द्व/सूचीसमास (copulative/list): ‘स्वागतं च आसनं च पाद्यं च अर्घ्यं च गन्धः स्रक् धूपः दीपकाः च’; पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन (Plural)

Purport

When Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi saw Lord Śiva and Umā within his heart, he immediately became aware of them and thus also of his own individual self. During his trance, on the other hand, he had simply been absorbed in awareness of the Supreme Lord and had thus forgotten himself as the conscious perceiver.

Characters & Entities

• Rudra (Śiva)
• the sage (muni)
• Śiva-gaṇas

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about honoring Lord Shiva?

This verse shows the proper mood of reverence: the sage opens his eyes, recognizes Rudra’s exalted position, and bows with his head—teaching that Śiva should be honored as a supremely venerable divine personality.

Why did the sage bow to Rudra at the Soma sacrifice?

Because Rudra arrived with his gaṇas at the yajña and was recognized as “trilokaikaguru,” the revered spiritual authority for the three worlds; thus the sage offered respectful obeisances.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

Cultivate humility and respect for exalted spiritual personalities—especially great devotees—and express that respect through sincere, non-egoistic gestures and conduct.