Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 6

शुक्रोत्पत्तिः तथा महेश्वरदर्शनम् (Śukra’s Emergence and the Vision of Maheśvara)

Devanagari script

वृषभाक्षं महाज्ञेयं पुरुषं सर्वकामदम् । कामारिं कामदहनं कामरूपं कपर्दिनम्

Transliteration

vṛṣabhākṣaṃ mahājñeyaṃ puruṣaṃ sarvakāmadam | kāmāriṃ kāmadahanaṃ kāmarūpaṃ kapardinam

Translation

Ich nehme Zuflucht zu dem Herrn mit dem Stierbanner, dem Höchsten, der wahrhaft zu erkennen ist: Puruṣa, Spender aller rechten Ziele. Er ist der Feind Kāmas, der Verbrenner der Begierde; und doch nimmt er jede erbetene Gestalt an, und er ist Kapardin, der die verfilzten Locken trägt.

Word by Word

• वृषभाक्षम्: bull-eyed one
• वृषभाक्षम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृषभ + अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (वृषभस्य इव अक्षिणी/अक्षि यस्य)

• महाज्ञेयम्: greatly knowable/most worthy to be known
• महाज्ञेयम्: Karma-anvaya (कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा + ज्ञेय (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारय; ‘ज्ञेय’ = √ज्ञा (धातु) से तव्यत्/यत्-प्रत्ययार्थ ‘to be known’

• पुरुषम्: the Person (Puruṣa)
• पुरुषम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• सर्वकामदम्: giver of all desires/boons
• सर्वकामदम्: Karma-anvaya (कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व + काम + द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (सर्वान् कामान् ददाति इति) विशेषण

• कामारिम्: enemy of Kāma
• कामारिम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काम + अरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (कामस्य अरिः)

• कामदहनम्: burner of Kāma
• कामदहनम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काम + दहन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (कामस्य दहनः)

• कामरूपम्: one of desired form / assuming forms at will
• कामरूपम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काम + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (कामस्य रूपम्/इच्छानुसाररूपः)

• कपर्दिनम्: the matted-haired one
• कपर्दिनम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कपर्दिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; इन्-प्रत्ययान्त (possessor noun)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Pashupatinatha

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: The bull-emblem (vṛṣabha) signals Nandin/Śiva’s dharma-sovereignty; the Kāma-dahana motif recalls the pan-Indian myth of Śiva burning Kāma to restore tapas and cosmic order, not tied here to a single Jyotirliṅga site.

Significance: Contemplation of Kāma-dahana is traditionally linked with mastery over indriyas and purification of desire, aiding the paśu’s release from pāśa.

Mantra Metadata

Mantra: वृषभाक्षं महाज्ञेयं पुरुषं सर्वकामदम् । कामारिं कामदहनं कामरूपं कपर्दिनम्

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Kama

FAQs

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

The verse praises Shiva as Pati (the Supreme Lord) who both fulfills devotees’ legitimate aims and purifies them by burning kama (binding desire), pointing to liberation through devotion and inner purification.

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

These names describe Saguna Shiva—approachable through form, name, and attributes—supporting Linga-worship where devotees contemplate Shiva’s grace (sarvakāmadam) and his power to dissolve desire (kāmadahana).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Japa of the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” while meditating on Shiva as Kāmadahana (burner of desire) is implied; offer bilva leaves and, if practiced, apply Tripuṇḍra bhasma as a reminder of desire’s purification.