Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 71

गणेशाभिषेक-वरदान-विधानम् | Gaṇeśa’s Consecration, Boons, and Prescribed Worship

Devanagari script

चकार विविधं सौख्यं लोकानां हितकाम्यया । स्वात्मारामोऽपि परमो भक्तकार्योद्यतः सदा

Transliteration

cakāra vividhaṃ saukhyaṃ lokānāṃ hitakāmyayā | svātmārāmo'pi paramo bhaktakāryodyataḥ sadā

Translation

Im Wunsch nach dem Wohl der Welten bewirkte er mannigfaltige Freude für alle Wesen. Obgleich er der Höchste ist, im Selbst ruhend und sich selbst genug, ist er doch stets darauf bedacht, die Anliegen seiner Bhaktas zu erfüllen.

Word by Word

• चकार: did/made
• चकार: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/लिट्), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• विविधम्: various
• विविधम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विविध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifies ‘सौख्यम्’)

• सौख्यम्: happiness/comfort
• सौख्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सौख्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• लोकानाम्: of the worlds/people
• लोकानाम्: Shashthi-Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन

• हित-काम्यया: with the wish for (their) welfare
• हित-काम्यया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हित (प्रातिपदिक) + काम्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (हितस्य काम्या = desire for welfare)

• स्वात्म-आरामः: one who delights in his own Self
• स्वात्म-आरामः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + आराम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (स्वस्य आत्मनः आरामः = one who delights in his own self)

• अपि: even/also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अपेक्षाबोधक अव्यय (also/even)

• परमः: supreme
• परमः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifies implied subject, e.g., शिवः)

• भक्त-कार्य-उद्यतः: ever ready to accomplish devotees’ work
• भक्त-कार्य-उद्यतः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भक्त (प्रातिपदिक) + कार्य (प्रातिपदिक) + उद्यत (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (भक्तानां कार्ये उद्यतः = intent on devotees’ tasks)

• सदा: always
• सदा: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: नित्यत्ववाचक अव्यय (always)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Devotees
• Worlds (Lokas)

FAQs

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

It presents Shiva as both transcendent (self-satisfied, needing nothing) and immanent through grace—freely acting for the welfare of the worlds and especially to accomplish the aims of his devotees, a key Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis on divine anugraha (saving grace).

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

Linga worship approaches the Supreme who is beyond needs, yet compassionately accessible. This verse supports Saguna-bhakti: though Shiva is self-established, he responds to devotion and manifests benevolent action for devotees and for loka-kalyāṇa (universal good).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Cultivate bhakti with steady japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and offer simple Linga-pūjā (water, bilva, bhasma/Tripuṇḍra) with the intent of welfare for all; the verse highlights that sincere devotion invites Shiva’s protective grace.