Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 18

विष्णोर्दर्शनं स्तुतिश्च

Viṣṇu’s Manifestation and Brahmā’s Hymn

Devanagari script

इत्याकर्ण्य वचो मे स हरिर्मां प्राह विस्मितः । विज्ञाताखिलदज्ञानी शिवतत्त्वविशारदः

Transliteration

ityākarṇya vaco me sa harirmāṃ prāha vismitaḥ | vijñātākhiladajñānī śivatattvaviśāradaḥ

Translation

Thus hearing my words, Hari (Viṣṇu) spoke to me in amazement—he who knows all that is to be known, is free from ignorance, and is profoundly versed in the truth of Śiva.

Word by Word

• iti: thus
• iti: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/quotative marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), quotative particle (इति-प्रयोग)

• ākarṇya: having heard
• ākarṇya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā√karṇ (धातु) + ल्यप् (कृदन्त)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्/क्त्वान्त), from ā√karṇ ‘to hear’, indeclinable verbal (क्रियाविशेषण)

• vacaḥ: speech/words
• vacaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• me: my
• me: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun (सर्वनाम), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun (सर्वनाम), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• hariḥ: Hari (Vishnu)
• hariḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• mām: me
• mām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun (सर्वनाम), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• prāha: said/spoke
• prāha: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ah (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• vismitaḥ: astonished
• vismitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vismita (प्रातिपदिक; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त from vi√smi)
• Form: Past participle (क्त), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• vijñāta-akhila-daḥ: knower of all (lit. having known all)
• vijñāta-akhila-daḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vijñāta (कृदन्त) + akhila (प्रातिपदिक) + da (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Compound adjective; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); vigraha: vijñātāḥ akhilāḥ dāḥ yasya/saḥ (contextual: ‘knower of all’)

• ajñānī: not ignorant; wise
• ajñānī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ajñānin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• śiva-tattva-viśāradaḥ: expert in the doctrine/principle of Shiva
• śiva-tattva-viśāradaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक) + tattva (प्रातिपदिक) + viśārada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); vigraha: śivasya tattve viśāradaḥ (expert in Śiva-principle)

Speaker

Sati

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Satī

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse highlights that true spiritual authority is marked by freedom from ignorance and clear insight into Śiva-tattva—the supreme principle that grants liberation—showing reverence for Śiva’s ultimate reality within the Purāṇic narrative.

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

By praising Hari as a knower of Śiva-tattva, the verse supports the Shaiva view that Saguna worship (including Liṅga-upāsanā) is grounded in right knowledge of Śiva’s principle; devotion becomes fruitful when aligned with the understanding of Śiva as Pati (the Lord) beyond ignorance.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is śravaṇa and manana—listening to and reflecting on teachings about Śiva-tattva—supported by steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") to remove ajñāna (ignorance) and stabilize devotion.