Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 42

शुक्रनिग्रहः — The Seizure/Neutralization of Śukra (Kāvya) and the Daityas’ Despondency

Devanagari script

अथ काव्यं विनिष्क्रातं शुक्रमार्गेण भार्गवम् । दृष्ट्वोवाच महेशानो विहस्य करुणानिधिः

Transliteration

atha kāvyaṃ viniṣkrātaṃ śukramārgeṇa bhārgavam | dṛṣṭvovāca maheśāno vihasya karuṇānidhiḥ

Translation

Dann, als Maheśa—ein Ozean des Erbarmens—Bhārgava Kāvya sah, wie er auf dem Weg des Śukra hervortrat, lächelte er und sprach.

Word by Word

• अथ: then
• अथ: वाक्यसम्बन्ध (Discourse connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रमसूचक (then)

• काव्यम्: Kāvya (Śukra)
• काव्यम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; अत्र भार्गवस्य नामरूपेण (as name: Kāvyā)

• विनिष्क्रान्तम्: having come out
• विनिष्क्रान्तम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-नि-√क्रम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• शुक्रमार्गेण: through the semen-path
• शुक्रमार्गेण: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुक्र-मार्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (‘शुक्रस्य मार्गः’), पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• भार्गवम्: Bhārgava
• भार्गवम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भार्गव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: पूर्वकालक्रिया (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), ‘having seen’

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: क्रिया (Verb/Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• महेशानः: Maheśāna (Śiva)
• महेशानः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महेशान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• विहस्य: smiling
• विहस्य: सहकालक्रिया (Concomitant action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-√हस् (धातु)
• Form: ल्यबन्त/क्त्वार्थक अव्ययकृदन्त (absolutive), ‘having smiled/laughed’

• करुणानिधिः: ocean of compassion
• करुणानिधिः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: करुणा-निधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (‘करुणायाः निधिः’), पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; उपाधि (epithet)

Speaker

Lord Shiva (Maheśa/Maheśāna)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shukra (Shukracharya)
• Kavya (Bhargava)

FAQs

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

It highlights Śiva as Karuṇānidhi—supreme lordship expressed as compassionate governance. Even amid conflict, Shiva’s response is not mere wrath but a smile and instruction, showing that grace (anugraha) ultimately guides beings toward right order and liberation.

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

The verse presents Saguna Śiva—personally seeing, smiling, and speaking. Such personal divine presence is the devotional basis of Linga-worship, where the devotee approaches Shiva not as an abstract principle alone but as the gracious Lord who responds to the world.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A takeaway practice is japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with bhāva of karuṇā, remembering Shiva’s smiling compassion; optionally support it with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as Shaiva marks of surrender and steadiness.