Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 14

मयस्य शिवस्तुतिः — Maya’s Hymn to Śiva

and Śiva’s Gracious Response

Devanagari script

स्वभक्तेषु सदा सख्यं दीनेषु च दयां सदा । उपेक्षामन्यजीवेषु खलेषु परमेश्वर

Transliteration

svabhakteṣu sadā sakhyaṃ dīneṣu ca dayāṃ sadā | upekṣāmanyajīveṣu khaleṣu parameśvara

Translation

يا باراميشڤارا (Parameśvara)، داوِمْ صداقةَ خاصّةٍ مع عُبّادك المخلصين؛ وداوِمِ الرحمةَ بالمتواضعين والمبتلين؛ وكنْ في زهدٍ وتجرّدٍ تجاه سائر الكائنات؛ وأمّا الأشرار فاثبتْ على إعراضٍ مقدّسٍ عنهم.

Word by Word

• स्वभक्तेषु: among (your) devotees
• स्वभक्तेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Location-context)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + भक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी विभक्ति (Locative/7th), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (स्वस्य भक्ताः = one's devotees)

• सदा: always
• सदा: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of time)

• सख्यम्: friendship
• सख्यम्: Karma (कर्म/Desired object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सख्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• दीनेषु: among the poor/helpless
• दीनेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• दयाम्: compassion
• दयाम्: Karma (कर्म/Desired object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• सदा: always
• सदा: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण

• उपेक्षाम्: indifference/neglect
• उपेक्षाम्: Karma (कर्म/Desired object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपेक्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अन्यजीवेषु: among other beings
• अन्यजीवेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक) + जीव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (अन्ये जीवाः = other beings)

• खलेषु: among the wicked
• खलेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, बहुवचन

• परमेश्वर: O Supreme Lord
• परमेश्वर: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (परमः ईश्वरः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Rudrasaṃhitā account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Ethical ‘bhakta-lakṣaṇa’ teaching: pilgrimage is validated by transformed conduct—friendship with devotees, compassion to the dīna, and disciplined non-entanglement with the wicked.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Parameshvara
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches a Shaiva ethic aligned with liberation: nurture satsanga (friendship with devotees), practice karuṇā (compassion for the distressed), and maintain vairāgya (detached discernment) so that one’s mind remains fit for Shiva-bhakti and grace.

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

Linga worship trains the devotee to see Shiva as Pati (the Lord) and to live with purity and discernment: closeness to Shiva’s devotees strengthens devotion, compassion reflects Shiva’s auspicious nature, and measured disregard for the wicked protects one’s sādhana from tamasic influence.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice daily Shiva-sādhana with the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), keep satsanga with devotees, and cultivate inner upekṣā through japa and meditation—responding with compassion to the needy while avoiding entanglement with harmful company.