Shloka 1

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मोवाच । अथ शम्भुः समाहूय नन्द्यादीन् सकलान्गणान् । आज्ञापयामास मुदा गन्तुं स्वेन च तत्र वै

Transliteration

brahmovāca | atha śambhuḥ samāhūya nandyādīn sakalāngaṇān | ājñāpayāmāsa mudā gantuṃ svena ca tatra vai

Translation

Brahmā said: Then Śambhu, having summoned all his gaṇas beginning with Nandin, joyfully commanded them to proceed there, and he himself would go along as well.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मा: Brahmā
• ब्रह्मा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (conjunction/sequence marker)

• शम्भुः: Śambhu (Śiva)
• शम्भुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śambhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• समाहूय: having summoned
• समाहूय: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sam-ā-hū (धातु) → samāhūya (क्त्वान्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund), पूर्वक्रिया (having done)

• नन्दि-आदीन्: Nandin and others
• नन्दि-आदीन्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nandin (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (नन्दिः आदिः येषां तान्)

• सकलान्: all
• सकलान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sakala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण (गणानाम्)

• गणान्: the attendants/gaṇas
• गणान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• आज्ञापयामास: commanded/ordered
• आज्ञापयामास: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√jñā (धातु) + ṇic (causative)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; णिजन्त (causative)

• मुदा: with joy
• मुदा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mudā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; भाववाचक

• गन्तुम्: to go
• गन्तुम्: Karma (कर्म/क्रियार्थ)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gam (धातु) → gantum (तुमुन्)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (infinitive), क्रियार्थक

• स्वेन: with his own (company)/by himself
• स्वेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (सहचर/साधन)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (conjunction)

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (locative adverb)

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle/emphasis)

Speaker

Brahma

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Nandi
• Ganas

FAQs

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

The verse highlights Śiva as Pati—the supreme Lord who effortlessly directs the cosmic and spiritual order—while his gaṇas exemplify disciplined devotion (sevā) and readiness to act in alignment with his will.

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

By depicting Śambhu acting, summoning, and commanding, the text emphasizes Saguna Śiva—approachable and relational—whose presence is worshipped through forms like the Liṅga, alongside reverence for his devotees such as Nandin.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is sevā-bhāva: begin japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and mentally place yourself among Śiva’s gaṇas, cultivating prompt obedience, purity, and devotion—especially on Mahāśivarātri or before Liṅga-pūjā.