Shloka 13

प्रयागे महत्समाजः — शिवदर्शनं दक्षागमनं च

The Great Assembly at Prayāga: Śiva’s Appearance and Dakṣa’s Arrival

Devanagari script

क्रूरदृष्ट्या महागर्वो दृष्ट्वा रुद्रं महाप्रभुम् । सर्वान्संश्रावयन्नुच्चैरवोचज्ज्ञानवर्जितः

Transliteration

krūradṛṣṭyā mahāgarvo dṛṣṭvā rudraṃ mahāprabhum | sarvānsaṃśrāvayannuccairavocajjñānavarjitaḥ

Translation

Seeing Rudra, the mighty and supremely radiant Lord, that great egotist—casting a cruel glance—spoke aloud so that all could hear, for he was devoid of true spiritual discernment.

Word by Word

• krūra-dṛṣṭyā: with a cruel look
• krūra-dṛṣṭyā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: krūra (प्रातिपदिक) + dṛṣṭi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; कर्मधारय: क्रूरा दृष्टिः (cruel look)

• mahā-garvaḥ: very proud
• mahā-garvaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + garva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मधारय: महान् गर्वः यस्य/महागर्वः (very proud)

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen
• dṛṣṭvā: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: dṛś (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त, त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव

• rudram: Rudra
• rudram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rudra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• mahā-prabhum: the great lord
• mahā-prabhum: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + prabhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; कर्मधारय: महान् प्रभुः (great lord)

• sarvān: all (people)
• sarvān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; सर्व-शब्दः (all persons)

• saṃśrāvayan: causing to hear / announcing
• saṃśrāvayan: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śru (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त, शतृ-प्रत्यय (present active participle) परस्मैपद: श्रावयत् (causative √śru) + शतृ; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; ‘making (them) hear’

• uccaiḥ: loudly
• uccaiḥ: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: uccaiḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: loudly)

• avocat: said
• avocat: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: लुङ् (Aorist), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• jñāna-varjitaḥ: devoid of knowledge
• jñāna-varjitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jñāna (प्रातिपदिक) + varjita (प्रातिपदिक; √vṛj/varj क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ज्ञानात् वर्जितः (devoid of knowledge)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the episode to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Rudra

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Rudra

FAQs

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

The verse highlights that arrogance and a cruel, judgmental outlook arise from jñāna-abhāva (absence of right knowledge). In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, ignorance veils recognition of Pati (Shiva) as the supreme Lord, leading one to speak and act in ways that bind the soul further.

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

It contrasts irreverence with true devotion: Saguna Shiva (Rudra) is approached through humility, praise, and surrender. Disrespect toward Shiva—whether toward the Linga, His devotees, or His manifest form—shows inner impurity and blocks the grace that makes worship fruitful.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is to counter pride with daily japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and cultivate reverent speech (vāg-śuddhi). If performed, Tripundra (bhasma) and Rudraksha are to be worn with humility and devotion, not as marks of vanity.