Shloka 28

दुर्वाससः तपः-प्रभावः तथा देवाः ब्रह्म-विष्ण्वोः शरणागमनम् | Durvāsā’s Tapas and the Devas’ Appeal to Brahmā and Viṣṇu

Devanagari script

भूत्वा रुद्रश्च दुर्वासा ब्रह्मतेजोविवर्द्धनः । चक्रे धर्मपरीक्षाञ्च बहूनां स दयापरः

Transliteration

bhūtvā rudraśca durvāsā brahmatejovivarddhanaḥ | cakre dharmaparīkṣāñca bahūnāṃ sa dayāparaḥ

Translation

Becoming Rudra as the sage Durvāsā—one who augments the splendor of brahmanical spiritual power—he tested the righteousness of many; yet he remained ever intent on compassion.

Word by Word

• भूत्वा: having become
• भूत्वा: Kriya (क्रिया; पूर्वक्रिया/absolutive)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय-भाव (Gerund/Absolutive); 'having become'

• रुद्रः: Rudra
• रुद्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• दुर्वासाः: Durvāsā
• दुर्वासाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुर्वासा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• ब्रह्म-तेजः-विवर्द्धनः: increaser of Brahma-like spiritual radiance
• ब्रह्म-तेजः-विवर्द्धनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक) + विवर्द्धन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष ('increaser of Brahmanic splendor/energy')

• चक्रे: performed / did
• चक्रे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• धर्म-परीक्षाम्: a test of dharma
• धर्म-परीक्षाम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + परीक्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष ('test of dharma')

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

• बहूनाम्: of many
• बहूनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), बहुवचन; विशेषण (of many persons)

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• दयापरः: compassionate / devoted to mercy
• दयापरः: Karta (कर्ता; predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दया (प्रातिपदिक) + पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष/निष्ठा ('devoted to compassion')

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Rudra

Mantra Metadata

Type: rudram

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Dharma-parīkṣā as a providential mechanism: concealment through ordeal culminating in grace

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Rudra
• Durvasa

FAQs

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

It presents Durvāsā as Rudra’s purposeful manifestation: Shiva may appear severe to examine dharma, yet his inner intent is grace—guiding souls (paśu) away from bondage (pāśa) toward right conduct and liberation.

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

Durvāsā represents Saguna Shiva acting within the world to correct and uplift. Linga-worship trains the devotee to see the same Shiva behind both discipline and mercy, accepting trials as purifying instructions from the Lord.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is daily Panchākṣarī japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a vow of dharmic self-review; optionally apply Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and wear Rudrākṣa as reminders to meet tests with humility and compassion.