Shloka 27

Kirātāvatāra, Durvāsā-upākhyāna, and the Logic of Divine Rescue

Kirātākhyam-avatāra; Pāṇḍava-prasaṅga

Devanagari script

दुःखं च दूरतो जातन्दर्शनात्ते पितामह । दुष्टैश्चैव महादुःखं दत्तं नः क्रूरकर्मभिः

Transliteration

duḥkhaṃ ca dūrato jātandarśanātte pitāmaha | duṣṭaiścaiva mahāduḥkhaṃ dattaṃ naḥ krūrakarmabhiḥ

Translation

اے پِتامہ! آپ کے درشن سے ہمارا غم دور ہو گیا؛ مگر بدکاروں نے اپنے سفّاک اعمال سے ہمیں بڑا دکھ پہنچایا ہے۔

Word by Word

• दुःखम्: sorrow, pain
• दुःखम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुःख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

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

• दूरतः: from afar, far away
• दूरतः: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: दूरतस् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• जातम्: has become/has gone
• जातम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जन् (धातु) + क्त (प्रत्यय) → जात (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त used predicatively; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘has gone/been removed’ (contextual)

• दर्शनात्: from the sight
• दर्शनात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दर्शन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी, एकवचन

• ते: of you, your
• ते: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी, एकवचन (genitive)

• पितामह: O Grandfather (revered one)
• पितामह: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितामह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

• दुष्टैः: by the wicked
• दुष्टैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुष्ट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd, instrumental), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक अव्यय

• महा-दुःखम्: great suffering
• महा-दुःखम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + दुःख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (great sorrow)

• दत्तम्: was given/inflicted
• दत्तम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु) + क्त (प्रत्यय) → दत्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त used predicatively; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; passive sense ‘was given/inflicted’

• नः: to us
• नः: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: चतुर्थी/षष्ठी (4th/6th), बहुवचन; enclitic ‘to us/of us’ (context: to us)

• क्रूर-कर्मभिः: by cruel deeds/acts
• क्रूर-कर्मभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रूर (प्रातिपदिक) + कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (cruel deeds)

Speaker

Afflicted devotees/supplicants addressing Brahma (Pitāmaha) within Suta’s narration

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: The verse contrasts immediate relief through darśana of a venerable divine figure (Pitāmaha) with continuing worldly harm from the wicked—highlighting the pashu’s vulnerability under pāśa (karma, hostility).

Characters & Entities

• Brahma

FAQs

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

It highlights a core puranic insight: duḥkha lessens through darśana and surrender to higher authority; cruelty and suffering arise from adharma, but divine presence restores steadiness and hope, preparing the mind for Śiva-bhakti and liberation-oriented living.

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

The verse emphasizes darśana as a transforming encounter—parallel to beholding the Śiva-liṅga (Saguna focus) where grief is calmed and the devotee gains protection and clarity to face hostile forces through devotion, purity, and reliance on Śiva’s grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is darśana-centered worship: daily liṅga-darśana with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), supported by Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders to endure suffering without hatred and to return to Śiva as refuge.