Shloka 58

Śumbha–Niśumbha-pīḍā and Devastuti to Durgā/Śivā

Names and Forms of the Devī

Devanagari script

इत्युक्तमाकलय्याम्बा स्मयित्वा परमेश्वरी । उदाजहार सा देवी सूनृतं रसवद्वचः

Transliteration

ityuktamākalayyāmbā smayitvā parameśvarī | udājahāra sā devī sūnṛtaṃ rasavadvacaḥ

Translation

至上女神、圣母乌玛领会其言，含笑而立；随即那位天女说出真实、甘美而饶有韵味的话语。

Word by Word

• iti: thus
• iti: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Nipāta/quotative particle (निपात), indeclinable

• uktam: said; spoken
• uktam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vac (धातु) → ukta (कृदन्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त/कृत्), Neuter, Nominative/Accusative (1/2), Singular; used as object-content ‘what was said’

• ākalayya: having understood
• ākalayya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā + kal (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्), indeclinable; ‘having understood/considered’

• ambā: Mother (Goddess)
• ambā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ambā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1/प्रथमा), Singular

• smayitvā: having smiled
• smayitvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Verb
• Root: smi (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा), indeclinable; ‘having smiled’

• parameśvarī: the Supreme Goddess
• parameśvarī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parameśvarī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1/प्रथमा), Singular; apposition to ambā

• udājahāra: uttered; spoke out
• udājahāra: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ud + ā + hṛ (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• sā: she
• sā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Feminine, Nominative (1/प्रथमा), Singular

• devī: the goddess
• devī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: devī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1/प्रथमा), Singular; apposition to sā

• sūnṛtam: truthful; gentle
• sūnṛtam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sūnṛta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2/द्वितीया), Singular; qualifies vacaḥ (as content of speech)

• rasavat: flavorful; charming
• rasavat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rasavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2/द्वितीया), Singular; qualifies vacaḥ

• vacaḥ: speech; words
• vacaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2/द्वितीया), Singular

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Uma Samhita episode to the sages, introducing Parvati’s reply)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Umā

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Parvati

FAQs

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

It highlights the sāttvika mark of divine instruction: Parvatī first understands fully, then responds with a smile and truthful, gentle speech—showing that dharma and spiritual guidance should be both true and compassionate.

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

In the Shiva Purana’s Saguna framework, the Goddess’s sweet, truthful words model how devotees should approach Shiva-worship—through reverent dialogue, humility, and a heart softened by bhakti rather than harshness.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa with mindful speech: repeat the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") while cultivating sūnṛta—truthful, non-harming words—as part of daily sādhana.