Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 42

गणेशाभिषेक-वरदान-विधानम् | Gaṇeśa’s Consecration, Boons, and Prescribed Worship

Devanagari script

मूर्तिं धातुमयीं कृत्वा प्रवालसंभवां तथा । श्वेतार्कसंभवां चापि मार्द्दिकां निर्मितां तथा

Transliteration

mūrtiṃ dhātumayīṃ kṛtvā pravālasaṃbhavāṃ tathā | śvetārkasaṃbhavāṃ cāpi mārddikāṃ nirmitāṃ tathā

Translation

Having fashioned an idol made of metal, and likewise one formed of coral, as well as one produced from the white arka plant, he also duly made an earthen (clay) image.

Word by Word

• मूर्तिम्: an image/form
• मूर्तिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूर्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• धातु-मयीम्: made of metal
• धातु-मयीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धातु (प्रातिपदिक) + मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (मूर्तिम्)

• कृत्वा: having made
• कृत्वा: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund), पूर्वकालिक क्रिया

• प्रवाल-संभवाम्: originating from coral
• प्रवाल-संभवाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रवाल (प्रातिपदिक) + संभव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (मूर्तिम्)

• तथा: likewise/also
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अनुक्रम-सूचक (also/likewise)

• श्वेत-अर्क-संभवाम्: originating from white arka (plant)
• श्वेत-अर्क-संभवाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्वेत (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्क (प्रातिपदिक) + संभव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (मूर्तिम्)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय-बोधक (conjunction)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अपि-कार (also/even)

• मार्द्दिकाम्: made of clay/earthen
• मार्द्दिकाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मार्द्दिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (मूर्तिम्)

• निर्मिताम्: constructed/made
• निर्मिताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नि√मा (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय, past passive participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (मूर्तिम्)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; पुनरुक्त-समुच्चय (likewise)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: By listing permissible materials for making a mūrti, the text underscores accessible devotion: even simple clay forms can mediate worship and invite grace, countering exclusivity.

Shakti Dimension

Role: creative

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse highlights that devotion to Lord Shiva can be expressed through carefully prepared forms (mūrti) using different pure materials; the sanctity lies in sincere bhakti and correct intention, not merely in the substance.

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

By describing the making of multiple images, it supports Saguna-upāsanā—approaching Shiva through a consecrated, perceivable form—while remaining consistent with the Shiva Purana’s broader teaching that the same Shiva is ultimately beyond form (nirguṇa) yet graciously accessible through form.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It implies disciplined image-preparation and worship (arcana) using pure materials; in practice this is typically accompanied by japa of the Panchākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and offerings performed with cleanliness and steadiness of mind.