Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 35

शिवपुत्रजननवर्णनम् — Description of the Birth/Manifestation of Śiva’s Son

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मोवाच । इति दीनतरं वाक्यमाकर्ण्य सुरराट् प्रभुः । प्रत्युवाच विहस्याऽथ स सुरान् भक्तवत्सलः

Transliteration

brahmovāca | iti dīnataraṃ vākyamākarṇya surarāṭ prabhuḥ | pratyuvāca vihasyā'tha sa surān bhaktavatsalaḥ

Translation

Brahmā said: Hearing those exceedingly humble words, the sovereign Lord of the gods, the mighty One—ever affectionate to His devotees—smiled and then replied to the Devas.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मा: Brahmā
• ब्रह्मा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• इति: thus
• इति: Prayojaka (प्रयोग/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/समाप्त्यर्थक-अव्यय (quotative particle)

• दीनतरम्: more pitiable
• दीनतरम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीनतर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम्; तरप्-प्रत्यय (comparative)

• वाक्यम्: speech/statement
• वाक्यम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• आकर्ण्य: having heard
• आकर्ण्य: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल/Preceding action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आ + कर्ण्/श्रु (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund), ‘having heard’

• सुरराट्: king of the gods
• सुरराट्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर-राट् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः सुराणां राट् (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः)

• प्रभुः: the lord
• प्रभुः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्रत्युवाच: replied
• प्रत्युवाच: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति + वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• विहस्य: having smiled/laughed
• विहस्य: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल/Preceding action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वि + हस् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund), ‘having laughed/smiled’

• अथ: then
• अथ: Prayojaka (प्रयोग/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तरार्थक-अव्यय (sequence particle)

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• सुरान्: the gods
• सुरान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• भक्तवत्सलः: affectionate to devotees
• भक्तवत्सलः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भक्त-वत्सल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम्; समासः भक्तेषु वत्सलः / भक्तानां वत्सलः (सप्तमी/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः)

Speaker

Brahma

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Indra
• Devas

FAQs

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

It highlights that sincere humility and surrender move divine compassion—grace responds not to pride, but to a devotee-like plea, reflecting the Shaiva emphasis on anugraha (the Lord’s saving grace).

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

The verse portrays the Lord as bhaktavatsala—personally responsive and approachable—supporting Saguna worship where devotees address Shiva (or the divine Lord) through prayer, Linga-pūjā, and heartfelt supplication.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is devotional humility: offer prayer with surrender, ideally supported by japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and simple worship (water, bilva), seeking the Lord’s compassionate response.