Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 38

वसन्तस्वरूपवर्णनम् — Description of the Form/Nature of Vasant

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Devanagari script

शोणराजीवसंकाशः फुल्लतामरसेक्षणः । संध्योदिताखंडशशिप्रतिमास्यस्सुनासिकः

Transliteration

śoṇarājīvasaṃkāśaḥ phullatāmarasekṣaṇaḥ | saṃdhyoditākhaṃḍaśaśipratimāsyassunāsikaḥ

Translation

He shone like a crimson lotus; his eyes were like fully blossomed lotuses. His face resembled the unbroken full moon rising at twilight, and his nose was beautifully shaped—an auspicious form worthy of contemplation as the manifest (saguṇa) glory of Śiva.

Word by Word

• शोण-राजीव-संकाशः: having the appearance of a red lotus
• शोण-राजीव-संकाशः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शोण (प्रातिपदिक) + राजीव (प्रातिपदिक) + संकाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: शोणस्य राजीवस्य इव संकाशः (उपमान-तत्पुरुष/बहुव्रीह्यर्थे विशेषण-प्रयोग); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• फुल्ल-तामरस-ईक्षणः: whose eyes are like a blooming lotus
• फुल्ल-तामरस-ईक्षणः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: फुल्ल (प्रातिपदिक) + तामरस (प्रातिपदिक) + ईक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: फुल्लं तामरसं यद् ईक्षणं यस्य (बहुव्रीहि); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• संध्या-उदित-अखण्ड-शशि-प्रतिमा-आस्यः: whose face resembles the unbroken full moon risen at twilight
• संध्या-उदित-अखण्ड-शशि-प्रतिमा-आस्यः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संध्या (प्रातिपदिक) + उदित (√उद् धातु + क्त) + अखण्ड (प्रातिपदिक) + शशि (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रतिमा (प्रातिपदिक) + आस्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: संध्यायाम् उदितः अखण्डः शशिः तस्य प्रतिमा यस्य आस्यम् (बहुव्रीहि); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सु-नासिकः: having a beautiful nose
• सु-नासिकः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + नासिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: शोभना नासिका यस्य (बहुव्रीहि); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse presents Śiva’s auspicious, compassionate saguṇa form as a support for dhyāna: lotus-like radiance and moon-like serenity symbolize purity, grace, and the cooling of saṃsāric agitation—leading the devotee toward inner stillness and liberation.

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

It complements Liṅga-worship by giving a meditative visualization of the Lord’s manifest beauty; in Śaiva practice, the Liṅga anchors worship while such descriptions refine bhakti and concentration, guiding the mind from form toward the formless essence.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice śiva-dhyāna: after applying tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and reciting the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), contemplate Śiva’s lotus-like eyes and moon-like face to steady the mind and deepen devotion.