Shloka 20

Strī-svabhāva-kathanam: Nārada–Pañcacūḍā-saṃvāda

Discourse on Dispassion via the Nārada–Pañcacūḍā Dialogue

Devanagari script

अनर्थित्वान्मनुष्याणां भयात्पतिजनस्य च । मर्यादायाममर्यादाः स्त्रियस्तिष्ठंति भर्तृषु

Transliteration

anarthitvānmanuṣyāṇāṃ bhayātpatijanasya ca | maryādāyāmamaryādāḥ striyastiṣṭhaṃti bhartṛṣu

Translation

మనుషుల ఉపద్రవం వల్ల, అలాగే భర్త బంధువుల భయం వల్ల, స్వభావतः నియమరహితమైన స్త్రీలు కూడా భర్త ఆశ్రయంలో ఉన్నప్పుడు మర్యాదలోనే నిలుస్తారు.

Word by Word

• अनर्थित्वात्: from lack of means/helplessness
• अनर्थित्वात्: Hetu (हेतु/कारण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनर्थित्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/अपादान), एकवचन

• मनुष्याणाम्: of men/people
• मनुष्याणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनुष्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन

• भयात्: from fear
• भयात्: Hetu (हेतु/कारण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/अपादान), एकवचन

• पति-जनस्य: of the husband’s people
• पति-जनस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पति (प्रातिपदिक) + जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive determinative): ‘of the husband’s people/kinsmen’

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• मर्यादायाम्: within bounds/limits
• मर्यादायाम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मर्यादा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• अमर्यादाः: unrestrained/without propriety
• अमर्यादाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अमर्याद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (स्त्रियः इति पदेन सह विशेषणरूपेण), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), बहुवचन; विशेषण (adjective)

• स्त्रियः: women
• स्त्रियः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), बहुवचन

• तिष्ठन्ति: remain/stand
• तिष्ठन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• भर्तृषु: among husbands
• भर्तृषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/अधिकरण), बहुवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati

FAQs

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

It highlights maryādā (ethical boundaries) as a stabilizing force in worldly life, implying that disciplined conduct supports inner purity—an essential foundation for Shaiva sādhana leading toward Shiva’s grace (Pati) and liberation from bonds (pāśa).

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

Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is sustained by purity of conduct and restraint; this verse frames social order and self-control as practical supports for steady devotion to Saguna Shiva, which matures into deeper contemplation of Shiva beyond qualities.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is to pair daily Shiva-bhakti with discipline: maintain śauca and maryādā, chant the Panchākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), and perform simple home worship with vibhūti (Tripuṇḍra) as a reminder of restraint and renunciation.