Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 23

नारदप्रश्नवर्णन (Nāradapraśna-varṇana) — “Account of Nārada’s Inquiry”

Devanagari script

भक्तिमार्गं ज्ञानमार्गं तपोमार्गं सुदुस्तरम् । दानमार्गञ्च तीर्थानां मार्गं च श्रुतवानहम्

Transliteration

bhaktimārgaṃ jñānamārgaṃ tapomārgaṃ sudustaram | dānamārgañca tīrthānāṃ mārgaṃ ca śrutavānaham

Translation

„Ich habe vom Pfad der Hingabe (bhakti) gehört, vom Pfad der Erkenntnis, vom überaus schwer zu beschreitenden Pfad der Askese, vom Pfad der Gabe und auch vom Pfad der Pilgerfahrten zu den heiligen tīrthas.“

Word by Word

• भक्ति-मार्गम्: path of devotion
• भक्ति-मार्गम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + मार्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—‘भक्तेः मार्गः’

• ज्ञान-मार्गम्: path of knowledge
• ज्ञान-मार्गम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक) + मार्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—‘ज्ञानस्य मार्गः’

• तपः-मार्गम्: path of austerity
• तपः-मार्गम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक) + मार्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—‘तपसः मार्गः’

• सु-दुस्तरम्: very difficult to cross
• सु-दुस्तरम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु (अव्यय-उपसर्ग/प्रातिपदिक) + दुस्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifier) of ‘मार्गम्’; कर्मधारयः—‘अत्यन्तं दुस्तरम्’

• दान-मार्गम्: path of charity
• दान-मार्गम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान (प्रातिपदिक) + मार्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—‘दानस्य मार्गः’

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

• तीर्थानाम्: of pilgrimages/sacred places
• तीर्थानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• मार्गम्: path
• मार्गम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मार्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

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

• श्रुतवान्: having heard
• श्रुतवान्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु) + वत् (कृत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकालिक क्तवतु-प्रत्ययान्त (past active participle/क्तवतु), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्तरि प्रयोगः

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: त्रिलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse enumerates the principal sādhana-mārgas—bhakti, jñāna, tapas, dāna, and tīrtha—showing that seekers approach liberation through multiple disciplines, with Shaiva teaching ultimately orienting them toward devotion to Pati (Shiva) as the liberating Lord.

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

By listing recognized paths, it frames Linga-worship as a central expression of bhakti-mārga: through pūjā, mantra, and reverence to Saguna Shiva, the aspirant gains grace (anugraha) that ripens knowledge and overcomes bonds (pāśa).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to adopt bhakti supported by dāna and tīrtha: daily Shiva-pūjā with mantra-japa (especially the Panchāksharī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), along with charitable giving and, when possible, pilgrimage to Shiva-kṣetras.