Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 20

विदलोत्पलदैत्ययोरुत्पत्तिः देवपराजयः ब्रह्मोपदेशः नारदप्रेषणम्

Vidalotpala Daityas, Defeat of the Devas, Brahmā’s Counsel, and Nārada’s Mission

Devanagari script

धृत्वा पारिषदीं मायामायातावंबिकांतिकम् । तावत्यंतं सुदुर्वृत्तावतिचंचलमानसौ

Transliteration

dhṛtvā pāriṣadīṃ māyāmāyātāvaṃbikāṃtikam | tāvatyaṃtaṃ sudurvṛttāvaticaṃcalamānasau

Translation

ด้วยอำนาจมายา ทั้งสองสวมคราบดุจบริวารผู้รับใช้ แล้วเข้าไปใกล้พระแม่อัมพิกา จนถึงขณะนั้นพวกเขายังชั่วร้ายยิ่งนัก และจิตใจก็ฟุ้งซ่านไม่มั่นคงอย่างยิ่ง

Word by Word

• धृत्वा: having assumed/taken up
• धृत्वा: पूर्वकाल (Kriyāviśeṣaṇa/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), धातु: धृ, अर्थ: ‘having held/assumed’

• पारिषदीम्: attendant/retinue-related
• पारिषदीम्: कर्म (Karma/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पारिषद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

• मायाम्: illusion, magical power
• मायाम्: कर्म (Karma/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• आयातौ: (the two) came/arrived
• आयातौ: कर्ता (Karta/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-या (धातु)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), द्विवचन; ‘having come/arrived’ (used predicatively)

• अम्बिकान्तिकम्: near Ambikā
• अम्बिकान्तिकम्: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अम्बिका + अन्तिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (अम्बिकायाः अन्तिकम्); अव्यय-प्रयोग (adverbial use)

• तावत्: so much; for that long
• तावत्: काल/परिमाण (Kāla/Pramāṇa)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तावत् (प्रातिपदिक/अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle/adverb)

• अन्तम्: end, limit
• अन्तम्: कर्म (Karma/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; ‘end/limit’

• सुदुर्वृत्तौ: the two very wicked
• सुदुर्वृत्तौ: कर्ता (Karta/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + दुर्वृत्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), द्विवचन; विशेषण; समास: कर्मधारय (सु-दुर्वृत्त)

• अति: exceedingly
• अति: विशेषण-उपपद (modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (preverb/adverbial intensifier)

• चञ्चलमानसौ: (the two) with restless minds
• चञ्चलमानसौ: कर्ता (Karta/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चञ्चल + मानस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), द्विवचन; विशेषण; समास: कर्मधारय (चञ्चलं मानसं यस्य)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Tatpuruṣa

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga narrative; the verse focuses on disguise (pāriṣadī māyā) and the approach to Ambikā, emphasizing deception as bondage (pāśa).

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Parvati
• Ambika

FAQs

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

The verse highlights how māyā can be used to disguise intent, while inner disposition remains “sudurvṛtta” (corrupt) and the mind remains restless; Shaiva teaching emphasizes purification of the mind through devotion and right conduct, not merely outer appearance.

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

It contrasts external form with inner reality—an important lesson for Saguna worship: approaching Shiva/Devi (and the Liṅga) should be with sincere bhakti and inner steadiness, not with deceptive motives shaped by māyā.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is mind-stabilization and inner purification: japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with dhyāna to reduce cañcalatā (restlessness), supported by sattvic conduct; optional Shaiva aids include bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa as reminders of discipline and devotion.