Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 23

सतीसंक्षेपचरित्रवर्णनम् — Summary Description of Satī’s Narrative

Devanagari script

तत्प्रभावाद्धरं दक्षो महागर्वी विमूढधीः । महाशांतं निर्विकारं निनि द बहुमोहितः

Transliteration

tatprabhāvāddharaṃ dakṣo mahāgarvī vimūḍhadhīḥ | mahāśāṃtaṃ nirvikāraṃ nini da bahumohitaḥ

Translation

Under the sway of that deluding power, Dakṣa—greatly arrogant and confused in understanding—became utterly infatuated and began to disparage Lord Hara, who is supremely tranquil and free from all change.

Word by Word

• तत्: that/his
• तत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; समासपूर्वपद (in तत्प्रभावात्)

• प्रभावात्: because of (the) power/influence
• प्रभावात्: Hetu (हेतु/Cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभाव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/पञ्चमी), एकवचन; हेतौ/अपादाने (ablative of cause)

• हरम्: Hara (Śiva)
• हरम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• दक्षः: Dakṣa
• दक्षः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• महागर्वी: greatly proud
• महागर्वी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महागर्विन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; समासः—महा + गर्विन् (कर्मधारय)

• विमूढधीः: of deluded intellect
• विमूढधीः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विमूढधी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; समासः—विमूढ + धी (कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष: ‘one whose intellect is deluded’)

• महाशान्तम्: very peaceful
• महाशान्तम्: Karma (कर्म/Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाशान्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; समासः—महा + शान्त (कर्मधारय); विशेषण (of हरम्)

• निर्विकारम्: unchanging
• निर्विकारम्: Karma (कर्म/Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर्विकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; विशेषण (of हरम्)

• निनिन्द: reviled/censured
• निनिन्द: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: निन्द् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/लिट्), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; पाठे ‘निनि द’ इति विच्छेदः, सम्यक् ‘निनिन्द’

• बहुमोहितः: greatly deluded
• बहुमोहितः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहुमोहित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; बहु + मोहित)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; समासः—बहु + मोहित (कर्मधारय); क्त-प्रत्ययान्त

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Daksha

FAQs

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

It warns that moha (delusion) and garva (ego) can make one disrespect the Supreme Pati—Shiva—who is by nature nirvikāra (unchanging) and mahāśānta (utterly peaceful); such aparādha blocks grace and spiritual clarity.

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

Daksha’s error is judging Shiva through pride and outward notions; Linga-worship trains the mind to honor Shiva as the transcendent, formless Reality (nirguna) present through a sacred form (saguna), cultivating reverence instead of contempt.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical remedy is daily japa of the Panchakshara—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and a humble attitude, specifically to dissolve ego and prevent Shiva-aparādha.