Shloka 29

स्वायम्भुव-मन्वन्तर-वंशवर्णनम्

Genealogy of Svāyambhuva Manu and the Dhruva Episode

Devanagari script

दशवर्षसहस्राणि समुद्रसलिलेशयाः । रुद्रगीतं जपंतश्च शिवध्यानपरायणाः

Transliteration

daśavarṣasahasrāṇi samudrasalileśayāḥ | rudragītaṃ japaṃtaśca śivadhyānaparāyaṇāḥ

Translation

For ten thousand years they lay immersed in the ocean’s waters, ceaselessly chanting the Rudra-gīta, wholly devoted to meditation upon Lord Śiva.

Word by Word

• दशवर्षसहस्राणि: ten thousand years
• दशवर्षसहस्राणि: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दश-वर्ष-सहस्र (प्रातिपदिक; दश + वर्ष + सहस्र)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), बहुवचन; द्विगुसमासः (संख्यापूर्वकः)

• समुद्रसलिलेशयाः: those who lie in the ocean-waters
• समुद्रसलिलेशयाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समुद्र-सलिल-शय (प्रातिपदिक; समुद्र + सलिल + शय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (समुद्रस्य सलिले शयः)

• रुद्रगीतम्: Rudra’s hymn/song
• रुद्रगीतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुद्र-गीत (प्रातिपदिक; रुद्र + गीत)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (रुद्रस्य गीतम्)

• जपन्तः: chanting
• जपन्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जप् (धातु) → जपत् (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (present active participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन

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

• शिवध्यानपरायणाः: devoted to meditation on Śiva
• शिवध्यानपरायणाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिव-ध्यान-परायण (प्रातिपदिक; शिव + ध्यान + परायण)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (शिवध्यानं परायणं येषाम्/शिवध्यानपरायणः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Rudra

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: The Pracetās perform prolonged japa of Rudra’s hymn while immersed in the ocean; Rudra becomes pleased and grants instruction/boons (the broader Pracetās episode).

Significance: Model for japa+dhyāna as a means to obtain Rudra’s grace (anugraha) and purification of bondage.

Mantra Metadata

Mantra: rudragītam (name referenced; text not quoted in this verse)

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Rudra

FAQs

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

It highlights sustained sādhana—long-term japa and unwavering Śiva-dhyāna—as the Shaiva means to purify the paśu (bound soul) and turn it toward Pati (Śiva), the giver of grace and liberation.

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

Reciting Rudra hymns and meditating on Śiva are core forms of saguna-upāsanā; such practices commonly accompany Liṅga worship, where mantra-japa and focused contemplation stabilize devotion and invite Śiva’s anugraha (grace).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Regular Rudra-gīta (Rudra hymn) japa together with sustained Śiva-dhyāna (meditation). The practical takeaway is disciplined daily recitation and one-pointed contemplation, as in Shaiva vrata observances (often intensified on Mahāśivarātri).