Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 53

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

Devanagari script

तदन्यैर्विविधैः कार्यैः कृत्वा सुखमवाप्स्यथः । ज्ञानविज्ञानसंयुक्तो लोकानां हितकारकः

Transliteration

tadanyairvividhaiḥ kāryaiḥ kṛtvā sukhamavāpsyathaḥ | jñānavijñānasaṃyukto lokānāṃ hitakārakaḥ

Translation

„Dann wirst du, indem du auch andere vielfältige Pflichten übernimmst, Glück erlangen — verbunden mit jñāna und vijñāna — und zum Wohltäter für das Heil der Welten werden.“

Word by Word

• तत्-अन्यैः: by other (than that)
• तत्-अन्यैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (तस्मात् अन्यैः = other than that/thereafter other)

• विविधैः: various
• विविधैः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विविध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (कार्यैः)

• कार्यैः: by means of tasks/acts
• कार्यैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• कृत्वा: having done
• कृत्वा: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय-भावकृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive); ‘having done’

• सुखम्: happiness
• सुखम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अवाप्स्यथः: you two will obtain
• अवाप्स्यथः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव्+आप् (धातु)
• Form: लृट्-लकार (Simple Future), मध्यमपुरुष, द्विवचन; परस्मैपद

• ज्ञान-विज्ञान-संयुक्तः: endowed with knowledge and realization
• ज्ञान-विज्ञान-संयुक्तः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक) + विज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक) + संयुक्त (प्रातिपदिक; सम्+युज् धातोः क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः द्वन्द्व (ज्ञान+विज्ञान) ततः तत्पुरुषः (तेन संयुक्तः); विशेषणम् (अन्तर्निहितः कर्ता)

• लोकानाम्: of the worlds / of people
• लोकानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध/Genitive), बहुवचन

• हित-कारकः: benefit-causing, benefactor
• हित-कारकः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हित (प्रातिपदिक) + कारक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (हितं करोति)

Speaker

Brahmā (in the Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa creation narrative, instructing for loka-hita through knowledge-guided action)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

• Brahma

FAQs

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

It teaches that true well-being arises when action (kārya/dharma) is guided by jñāna and confirmed by vijñāna—knowledge that becomes lived realization—so one’s life becomes beneficial to others (loka-hita), aligning with Shaiva ideals of purified conduct leading toward liberation.

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

Linga/Saguna Shiva worship is traditionally paired with right conduct and inner understanding; this verse emphasizes that rituals and duties bear fruit when supported by jñāna-vijñāna, transforming devotion into compassionate, world-supporting living rather than mere outward performance.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The verse implies integrating daily duties with knowledge-based devotion—practically expressed through steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), along with disciplined conduct; such practice matures from belief (jñāna) into lived clarity (vijñāna).