Shloka 30

Gaṅgā-Avataraṇa and the Naming of Gaṅgādvāra (गङ्गावतरणम्—गङ्गाद्वारप्रसिद्धिः)

Devanagari script

स्वधान्यभक्षणासक्तां गां दृष्ट्वा गौतमस्तदा । तृणेन ताडयामास शनैस्तां संनिवारयन्

Transliteration

svadhānyabhakṣaṇāsaktāṃ gāṃ dṛṣṭvā gautamastadā | tṛṇena tāḍayāmāsa śanaistāṃ saṃnivārayan

Translation

తన ధాన్యమును తినుటకు ఆసక్తిగల ఆవును చూచి, గౌతముడు అప్పుడు గడ్డిపరకతో మెల్లగా తాకి కొట్టి, ఆమెను ఆపుటకు యత్నించెను.

Word by Word

• स्वधान्यभक्षणासक्ताम्: attached to eating (his) own grain
• स्वधान्यभक्षणासक्ताम्: Visheshana (विशेषण of गां)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्व+धान्य+भक्षण+आसक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; समासः स्वधान्यस्य भक्षणे आसक्ता (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/उपपद-तत्पुरुष)

• गाम्: the cow
• गाम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव

• गौतमः: Gautama
• गौतमः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गौतम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• तदा: then
• तदा: Kaladhikarana (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

• तृणेन: with a blade of grass
• तृणेन: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तृण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• ताडयामास: struck/beat
• ताडयामास: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ताडय् (धातु; ताड्-णिच्)
• Form: लिट् (Periphrastic perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• शनैः: gently/slowly
• शनैः: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: शनैः (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb: slowly/gently)

• ताम्: her/that (cow)
• ताम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• संनिवारयन्: restraining (her)
• संनिवारयन्: Karta (कर्ता; गौतमः as agent, participle qualifying)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्+नि+वृ (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त (present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; परस्मैपद-भाव

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: The episode belongs to the Gautama–cow incident that precipitates later purification and Śiva’s intervention; it is not framed as a Jyotirliṅga origin in this verse.

Significance: Ethical restraint (ahiṃsā) and vigilance against inadvertent fault; sets the narrative ground for later expiatory Śaiva rites.

Characters & Entities

• Gautama
• Cow

FAQs

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

It highlights dharma in action: even when correcting wrongdoing, a sage practices restraint and minimal harm—an ethical foundation that prepares the mind for Shiva-bhakti and inner purification.

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

The Kotirudra narratives often move from human conduct to sacred remedy; self-control and non-violence support the devotee’s fitness for Saguna Shiva worship (Linga-puja), where purity of intention is central.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The verse implies disciplined restraint (saṃyama). A practical takeaway is to pair daily conduct with simple Shaiva sadhana—japa of the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with a non-harming, calm mind.