Shloka 24

Śiva–Arjuna Yuddha and the Subjugation of Pride (Śiva-parīkṣā)

Devanagari script

अथेश्वरः प्रसन्नात्मा प्रत्युवाचार्जुनं च तम् । समाश्वास्येति बहुशो महेशो भक्तवत्सलः

Transliteration

atheśvaraḥ prasannātmā pratyuvācārjunaṃ ca tam | samāśvāsyeti bahuśo maheśo bhaktavatsalaḥ

Translation

అప్పుడు ప్రసన్నహృదయుడైన ఈశ్వరుడు ఆ అర్జునునకు ప్రత్యుత్తరం పలికెను. భక్తవత్సలుడైన మహేశుడు అతనిని పలుమార్లు ధైర్యపరచెను.

Word by Word

• अथ: then
• अथ: सम्बन्ध (Discourse connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तरार्थक-अव्यय (then)

• ईश्वरः: the Lord
• ईश्वरः: कर्ता (Karta/Agent)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन

• प्रसन्न-आत्मा: of serene mind
• प्रसन्न-आत्मा: कर्तृविशेषण (Qualifier of Agent)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रसन्न (प्रातिपदिक) + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying ‘īśvaraḥ’)

• प्रत्युवाच: replied
• प्रत्युवाच: क्रिया (Verb/Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति-√वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• अर्जुनम्: to Arjuna
• अर्जुनम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्जुन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Conjunctive)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• तम्: him
• तम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• समाश्वास्य: having consoled
• समाश्वास्य: पूर्वकाल-क्रिया (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-श्वस् (धातु)
• Form: ल्यप्/क्त्वान्त-समकक्ष अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund): ‘having consoled/encouraged’

• इति: thus
• इति: वाक्य-समाप्ति/उद्धरण (Quotation marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उक्त्यर्थक-अव्यय (quotative particle)

• बहुशः: many times
• बहुशः: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: बहुशः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb: many times/repeatedly)

• महेशः: Maheśa
• महेशः: कर्ता (Karta/Agent)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महेश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन; ‘महान् ईशः’ इति व्युत्पत्तिः

• भक्त-वत्सलः: affectionate to devotees
• भक्त-वत्सलः: कर्तृविशेषण (Qualifier of Agent)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भक्त (प्रातिपदिक) + वत्सल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying ‘maheśaḥ’); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (bhaktānāṃ vatsalaḥ)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the episode involving Lord Shiva and Arjuna)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahadeva

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Mahesha
• Arjuna

FAQs

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

It highlights Shiva’s nature as Bhaktavatsala—His grace responds to sincere devotion, calming the devotee’s fear and steadying the mind toward dharma and liberation.

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

Though Shiva is ultimately beyond form (Nirguna), this verse emphasizes His Saguna compassion—He personally engages with devotees, reassuring them, which is the devotional heart behind Linga worship.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to seek Shiva’s reassurance through steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and calm, devotional remembrance (smaraṇa) when troubled.