Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 12

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

Devanagari script

आत्मन्यपि शिवं प्राप्तं तडित्पिङ्गजटाधरम् । त्र्यक्षं दशभुजं प्रांशुमुद्यन्तमिव भास्करम् ॥ ११ ॥ व्याघ्रचर्माम्बरं शूलधनुरिष्वसिचर्मभि: । अक्षमालाडमरुककपालं परशुं सह ॥ १२ ॥ बिभ्राणं सहसा भातं विचक्ष्य हृदि विस्मित: । किमिदं कुत एवेति समाधेर्विरतो मुनि: ॥ १३ ॥

Transliteration

ātmany api śivaṁ prāptaṁ taḍit-piṅga-jaṭā-dharam try-akṣaṁ daśa-bhujaṁ prāṁśum udyantam iva bhāskaram

Translation

ฤๅษีเห็นในดวงใจว่าพระศิวะทรงนุ่งหนังเสือ และทรงถือ ตรีศูล ธนู ลูกศร ดาบ โล่ ลูกประคำ กลอง ḍamaru กะโหลก และขวาน พระรัศมีของพระองค์ดุจสุริยะยามอรุณ เมื่อเห็นดังนั้น เขาตกตะลึง ถอนจากสมาธิ และถามในใจว่า “ท่านมาจากที่ใด?”

Synonyms

• आत्मनि: in himself
• आत्मनि: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular)

• अपि: also, even
• अपि: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle), अर्थः—‘also/even’

• शिवम्: Śiva
• शिवम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• प्राप्तम्: attained, obtained
• प्राप्तम्: कर्मणि-विशेषण (Object qualifier)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्राप् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (Past passive participle/क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; अर्थः—‘obtained/attained/seen as attained’

• तडित्पिङ्गजटाधरम्: bearing tawny matted locks like lightning
• तडित्पिङ्गजटाधरम्: कर्मणि-विशेषण (Qualifier of object ‘Śiva’)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तडित् (प्रातिपदिक) + पिङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + जटा (प्रातिपदिक) + धर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः—तत्पुरुष (determinative): ‘तडित्-पिङ्गा जटा यस्य सः’ (having lightning-tawny matted hair); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• त्र्यक्षम्: three-eyed
• त्र्यक्षम्: कर्मणि-विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (प्रातिपदिक) + अक्षि/अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः—द्विगु (numerical): ‘त्रीणि अक्षीणि यस्य’ (three-eyed); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• दशभुजम्: ten-armed
• दशभुजम्: कर्मणि-विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दश (प्रातिपदिक) + भुज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः—द्विगु: ‘दश भुजाः यस्य’ (ten-armed); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• प्रांशुम्: tall, lofty
• प्रांशुम्: कर्मणि-विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रांशु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; अर्थः—‘tall/lofty’

• उद्यन्तम्: rising
• उद्यन्तम्: कर्मणि-विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उद् + या (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (Present active participle/शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; अर्थः—‘rising’

• इव: like, as if
• इव: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Comparative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमा-वाचक (comparative particle)

• भास्करम्: the sun
• भास्करम्: उपमान (Upamāna/Standard of comparison)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भास्कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Śiva (Lord Śiva)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Lord Shiva’s symbols like trident and damaru?

This verse lists Śiva’s distinctive emblems—trident, ḍamaru, skull, axe, and tiger-skin—presenting him as the powerful lord of ascetics and the divine protector who carries weapons and sacred insignia.

Why is Lord Shiva described with weapons and a tiger-skin in Bhagavatam 12.10?

In this chapter’s vision, Śiva is revealed in a majestic, awe-inspiring form; the weapons signify his cosmic authority and protection, while the tiger-skin marks his renunciation and mastery over primal forces.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

It encourages reverence for disciplined spirituality: cultivate steadiness (like a yogī), simplicity (renunciation), and inner strength to protect your values while remaining devoted.