Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 29

अलकापतेः तपः-लिङ्गप्रतिष्ठा च वरप्राप्तिः / The Lord of Alakā: Austerity, Liṅga-Establishment, and the Receiving of a Boon

Devanagari script

इत्याकर्ण्य वचश्शंभोः पार्वती जगदम्बिका । अब्रवीद्याज्ञदत्तिं तं सुप्रसन्नेन चेतसा

Transliteration

ityākarṇya vacaśśaṃbhoḥ pārvatī jagadambikā | abravīdyājñadattiṃ taṃ suprasannena cetasā

Translation

Als Pārvatī, die Mutter des Universums, die Worte Śambhus vernommen hatte, sprach sie zu jenem Yājñadatti mit völlig heiterem, gnädigem Herzen.

Word by Word

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Discourse marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उद्धरण/समाप्तिसूचक (quotative particle)

• आकर्ण्य: having heard
• आकर्ण्य: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल/Anterior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-√कर्ण्/√श्रु (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययभाव (gerund/absolutive)

• वचः: words, speech
• वचः: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• शम्भोः: of Śambhu (Śiva)
• शम्भोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शम्भु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• पार्वती: Pārvatī
• पार्वती: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्वती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• जगत्-अम्बिका: the Mother of the world
• जगत्-अम्बिका: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत् (प्रातिपदिक) + अम्बिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (जगतः अम्बिका = जगदम्बिका)

• अब्रवीत्: said
• अब्रवीत्: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• याज्ञदत्तिम्: (to) Yājñadatti
• याज्ञदत्तिम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: याज्ञदत्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; संबोधन-निरपेक्ष नाम (proper name)

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• सु-प्रसन्नेन: with very pleased
• सु-प्रसन्नेन: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + प्रसन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग (instrumental agrees with चेतसा—नपुंसक), तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (सु + प्रसन्न) विशेषणम् (चेतसा)

• चेतसा: mind, heart
• चेतसा: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चेतस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

Speaker

Parvati

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati
• Yajnadatti

FAQs

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

The verse highlights śravaṇa (reverent listening) and prasāda (grace): after Śiva’s instruction, the Divine Mother responds from a calm, purified mind, showing that true guidance in Shaiva tradition arises when the heart is softened by devotion and clarity.

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

By presenting Śambhu’s spoken teaching and Pārvatī’s gracious reply, the text emphasizes Saguna Śiva as the compassionate Lord who communicates with devotees; such listening and obedient receptivity is central to Linga-worship where the devotee approaches Śiva through devotion, mantra, and instruction.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The implied practice is attentive śravaṇa and inward composure before responding—approaching Śiva’s teaching with a prasanna-citta (serene mind). In Shaiva sādhanā, this pairs naturally with japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and quiet contemplation before speaking or acting.