Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 12

विदलोत्पलदैत्ययोरुत्पत्तिः देवपराजयः ब्रह्मोपदेशः नारदप्रेषणम्

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

Devanagari script

सखीभिस्सह सुप्रीत्या कौतुकाच्छिवसन्निधौ

Transliteration

sakhībhissaha suprītyā kautukācchivasannidhau

Translation

ومع رفيقاتها، بمودّةٍ عظيمة وبفضولٍ مبهج، دخلت إلى حضرة السيّد شيفا نفسها.

Word by Word

• सखीभिः: with (her) female friends
• सखीभिः: Sahakāraka (सहकारी/सह-करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सखी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/करण), बहुवचन

• सह: together with
• सह: Sahārtha-nipāta (सहार्थ-निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सह (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपसर्गसदृश-निपात (particle) ‘with’

• सुप्रीत्या: with great affection
• सुप्रीत्या: Hetu/Instrument (करण/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुप्रीति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/करण), एकवचन

• कौतुकात्: out of curiosity
• कौतुकात्: Hetu/Apādāna (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कौतुक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/अपादान), एकवचन

• शिव-सन्निधौ: in Shiva’s presence
• शिव-सन्निधौ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक) + सन्निधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘शिवस्य सन्निधिः’); पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It highlights that Śiva-darśana is approached through loving devotion (suprīti) and sincere, uplifting longing (kautuka), indicating the soul’s movement toward Pati (Śiva) through bhakti rather than mere argument.

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

The phrase śiva-sannidhau emphasizes nearness to Saguna Śiva—mirrored in temple and Liṅga worship where the devotee seeks Śiva’s presence (sannidhi) with reverence and affectionate attention.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Bring a joyful, affectionate mind to Śiva’s presence—such as during Liṅga-darśana or abhiṣeka—while inwardly remembering the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” to steady devotion.