Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 63

सेवातत्त्वप्रश्नः — The Question of Whom to Serve (Sevā) for the Removal of Suffering

Devanagari script

इति विज्ञानहीनस्य प्रतिमाकल्पना शुभा । पदमुच्चैस्समारोढुं पुंसो ह्यालम्बनं स्मृतम्

Transliteration

iti vijñānahīnasya pratimākalpanā śubhā | padamuccaissamāroḍhuṃ puṃso hyālambanaṃ smṛtam

Translation

So ist für den, dem wahre geistige Unterscheidung fehlt, die Einsetzung und Betrachtung einer Bildgestalt heilsam und glückverheißend. Man erinnert sich daran als an eine Stütze, durch die der Mensch zum höheren Zustand emporsteigen kann.

Word by Word

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/समाप्ति-सूचक अव्यय

• विज्ञान-हीनस्य: of one devoid of knowledge
• विज्ञान-हीनस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विज्ञान + हीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष: विज्ञानेन हीनः; पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्रतिमा-कल्पना: the imagining/constructing of an image
• प्रतिमा-कल्पना: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रतिमा + कल्पना (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष: प्रतिमायाः कल्पना; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन

• शुभा: beneficial/auspicious
• शुभा: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; (प्रतिमाकल्पना इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणम्)

• पदम्: a step/position
• पदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• उच्चैः: high/aloud/aloft
• उच्चैः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उच्चैः (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb: aloft/high)

• समारोढुम्: to ascend
• समारोढुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-√रुह् (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (infinitive), 'to ascend'; उपसर्ग: सम् + आ

• पुंसः: of a man/person
• पुंसः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुंस्/पुम् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति, एकवचन

• हि: indeed/for
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle; emphatic/causal)

• आलम्बनम्: a support/aid
• आलम्बनम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आलम्बन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन

• स्मृतम्: is considered/remembered (as)
• स्मृतम्: Pradhāna-vidheya (विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्मृत (कृदन्त; √स्मृ धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle) नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; (आलम्बनम् इति विशेष्यस्य विधेय-विशेषणम्: 'is said/considered')

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that for seekers who have not yet stabilized higher spiritual insight, worship through a sacred form (pratimā) is a valid and auspicious support that gradually lifts the mind toward Shiva-realization.

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

It affirms Saguna worship as an 'ālambana' (support): the Linga or a consecrated form helps concentrate devotion and purifies the seeker, preparing them for subtler understanding of Shiva beyond form.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Adopt a steady devotional support—such as daily pratimā/Linga worship with mantra-japa (e.g., Panchakshara) and focused dhyāna—so the mind can ascend step by step toward the higher state.