Shloka 25

देवसान्त्वनम् (Devasāntvana) — “Consolation/Reassurance of the Gods”

Devanagari script

अवतारं करिष्यामि क्षितौ पूर्णं न संशयः । बहवो हेतवोऽप्यत्र तद्वदामि महादरात्

Transliteration

avatāraṃ kariṣyāmi kṣitau pūrṇaṃ na saṃśayaḥ | bahavo hetavo'pyatra tadvadāmi mahādarāt

Translation

เราจักอวตารลงสู่แผ่นดินอย่างสมบูรณ์แน่นอน—ไร้ข้อสงสัย เหตุมีมากมาย; เราจักกล่าวไว้ ณ ที่นี้ด้วยความเคารพและความตั้งใจยิ่ง

Word by Word

• अवतारम्: incarnation / descent
• अवतारम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अवतार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• करिष्यामि: I will do / I will make
• करिष्यामि: क्रिया (verbal action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लृट्-लकार (Simple Future), उत्तम-पुरुष (1st person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• क्षितौ: on earth
• क्षितौ: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षिति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन

• पूर्णम्: complete / full
• पूर्णम्: विशेषण (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पूर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier) अवतारम्

• न: no / not
• न: निषेध (negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (negation particle)

• संशयः: doubt
• संशयः: विधेय (predicate noun)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संशय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘(अत्र) संशयः (अस्ति)’ इति वाक्ये निषेधः

• बहवः: many
• बहवः: विशेषण (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifier) हेतवः

• हेतवः: reasons
• हेतवः: कर्ता/विषय (subject/topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हेतु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• अपि: also / even
• अपि: निपात (particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle)

• अत्र: here
• अत्र: अधिकरण (locative sense)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देश-अव्यय (adverb of place)

• तत्: that
• तत्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘तत्’ = “that (matter)”

• वदामि: I say / I tell
• वदामि: क्रिया (verbal action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वद् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), उत्तम-पुरुष (1st person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• महादरात्: out of great respect
• महादरात्: हेतु (Hetu/cause; ablative of cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + आदर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/5th), एकवचन; कर्मधारय: महान् आदरः (great respect)

Speaker

Parvati

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Frames Śakti’s avatāra as grace for embodied beings (paśu), enabling dharma, devotion, and eventual liberation through Śiva’s anugraha mediated by the Goddess.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: liberating

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Avatāra-saṅkalpa: divine descent into kṣiti (earth) as a turning point in the cosmic narrative.

Characters & Entities

• Parvati

FAQs

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

The verse emphasizes the Divine’s compassionate resolve to take a tangible, “complete” manifestation for the welfare of beings. In Shaiva understanding, such descent is an act of grace (anugraha) meant to restore dharma and guide souls toward liberation through devotion and right conduct.

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

By affirming a deliberate manifestation on earth, the verse supports Saguna worship—approaching the Supreme through accessible form and presence. Linga worship similarly provides a concrete focus for devotion, allowing devotees to receive grace while recognizing the Linga as a doorway to the transcendent Shiva beyond form.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is steadfast bhakti: take refuge in Shiva-centered worship—japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), regular Linga-puja, and observances like Mahashivratri vows—trusting that Divine grace actively enters the world for devotees’ upliftment.