Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 19

शिवविहारवर्णनम् (Śivavihāra-varṇana) — “Description of Śiva’s Divine Pastimes/Sojourn”

Devanagari script

सुरा ऊचुः । विवाहं कृतवाञ्छंभुरस्मत्कार्यार्थमीश्वरः । योगीश्वरो निर्विकारो स्वात्मारामो निरंजनः

Transliteration

surā ūcuḥ | vivāhaṃ kṛtavāñchaṃbhurasmatkāryārthamīśvaraḥ | yogīśvaro nirvikāro svātmārāmo niraṃjanaḥ

Translation

The Devas said: “To accomplish our purpose, the Lord Śambhu, the Īśvara, has entered into marriage. Though He is the supreme Lord—the Master of Yoga—unchanging, self-delighted, and stainless, He has taken up this worldly act for our work.”

Word by Word

• सुराः: the gods
• सुराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, बहुवचन, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative plural)

• ऊचुः: said
• ऊचुः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन (3rd person plural)

• विवाहम्: marriage
• विवाहम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विवाह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, एकवचन, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative singular)

• कृतवान्: has done/has performed
• कृतवान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्तवतु-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative singular)

• शम्भुः: Śambhu (Śiva)
• शम्भुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शम्भु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative singular)

• अस्मत्कार्यार्थम्: for our purpose
• अस्मत्कार्यार्थम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/अर्थ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मत्-कार्य-अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष समास (अस्माकं कार्यस्य अर्थः = for our purpose), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, एकवचन, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative singular; adverbial use ‘for the sake of’)

• ईश्वरः: the Lord
• ईश्वरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative singular)

• योगीश्वरः: Lord of yogis
• योगीश्वरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योगिन्-ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष समास (योगिनाम् ईश्वरः), पुंलिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative singular)

• निर्विकारः: unchanging
• निर्विकारः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर्विकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: विशेषण, पुंलिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative singular)

• स्वात्मारामः: self-delighting/content in his own Self
• स्वात्मारामः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्व-आत्म-आराम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष समास (स्वात्मनि आरामः यस्य/स्वात्मनि रमते), पुंलिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative singular)

• निरञ्जनः: stainless/pure
• निरञ्जनः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निरञ्जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: विशेषण, पुंलिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative singular)

Speaker

The Devas (Suras)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It highlights Śiva as Nirvikāra and Niranjana—unchanged and unstained—who still performs actions as divine līlā for the welfare of beings, showing action without bondage and compassion without limitation.

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

The verse balances Nirguṇa truth (Śiva as stainless, self-abiding consciousness) with Saguṇa accessibility (Śiva entering marriage and narrative action). Linga-worship similarly honors the transcendent Pati while approaching Him through a form fit for devotion.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditate on Śiva as Yogīśvara—repeat the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” while contemplating His nirvikāra (changeless) nature, and offer simple bhakti (water, bilva) to the Liṅga with the attitude of surrender.