Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 51

शिवतत्त्ववर्णनम् (Śiva-tattva-varṇana) — “Description/Exposition of the Principle of Śiva”

Devanagari script

सृष्टिकार्यं हृदा कर्तुम्मन्निदेशादिहार्हसि । अहं कालीं समाश्रित्य मत्प्रियांशां परात्पराम्

Transliteration

sṛṣṭikāryaṃ hṛdā kartummannideśādihārhasi | ahaṃ kālīṃ samāśritya matpriyāṃśāṃ parātparām

Translation

„Du bist wahrlich geeignet, das Werk der Schöpfung mit festem Herzen nach meinem Gebot hier zu vollbringen. Ich, Zuflucht nehmend bei Kālī—meinem geliebten Anteil, dem Höchsten jenseits des Höchsten—werde diese Tat mit Kraft erfüllen.“

Word by Word

• sṛṣṭi-kāryam: the work of creation
• sṛṣṭi-kāryam: Karma (कर्म/Direct object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sṛṣṭi (प्रातिपदिक) + kārya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (सृष्टेः कार्यम्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• hṛdā: with the heart; in mind
• hṛdā: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hṛd (हृद् प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; साधन (by heart/mind)

• kartum: to do
• kartum: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/Purpose)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (कृ धातु) + तुमुन् (तुमुन्)
• Form: तुमुनन्त (infinitive), प्रयोजनार्थ

• mat-nideśāt: from my command; by my instruction
• mat-nideśāt: Hetu (हेतु/Cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mat (अस्मद्-षष्ठी एकवचनार्थक) + nideśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (मम निर्देशः), पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/पञ्चमी), एकवचन; हेतौ/निमित्त (because of my command)

• iha: here
• iha: Deśa (देश/Place)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iha (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb/देशवाचक)

• arhasi: you are fit; you should
• arhasi: Kriyā (क्रिया/Finite verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: arh (अर्ह् धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन

• aham: I
• aham: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (अस्मद् सर्वनाम)
• Form: प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• kālīm: Kālī
• kālīm: Karma (कर्म/Object of samāśritya)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kālī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• samāśritya: having resorted to
• samāśritya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/पूर्वकर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ā-śri (सम्+आ+श्रि धातु) + त्वा (क्त्वा)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having taken refuge in)

• mat-priyā-aṃśām: a portion of my beloved (consort)
• mat-priyā-aṃśām: Karma (कर्म/Object complement)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mat (अस्मद्-षष्ठी एकवचनार्थक) + priyā (प्रातिपदिक) + aṃśā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (मम प्रियायाः अंशा), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• parāt-parām: supreme beyond the supreme; most transcendent
• parāt-parām: Karma (कर्म/Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parāt (अव्यय/तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त) + parā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (परात् परा), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (mat-priyā-aṃśām इति)

Speaker

Lord Shiva (as Pati, directing the creative process through Śakti)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Kālī

Role: creative

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: śakti-āśraya (Śiva ‘taking refuge’ in Kālī as operative power for sṛṣṭi)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Kali

FAQs

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

It presents creation as an ordered act under Shiva’s lordship (Pati), carried out through Śakti (here, Kālī). The verse highlights that cosmic activity is not random but proceeds by divine ordinance and inner steadiness aligned to Shiva’s will.

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

Saguna Shiva is shown as the commanding Lord who initiates sṛṣṭi through His power (Śakti). Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana similarly honors Shiva as the transcendent source who, while beyond form, becomes approachable through sacred forms and empowered manifestations.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is meditative alignment with Shiva’s command—steady-hearted japa and devotion to Shiva together with reverence for Śakti. A Shaiva practice consistent with this theme is Panchakshara japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with inward resolve (hṛdā) and disciplined worship.