Shloka 3

रुद्राक्ष-माहात्म्य

Rudrākṣa Māhātmya — The Greatness of Rudraksha

Devanagari script

पुरा रुद्रा क्षमहिमा देव्यग्रे कथितो मुने । लोकोपकरणार्थाय शिवेन परमात्मना

Transliteration

purā rudrā kṣamahimā devyagre kathito mune | lokopakaraṇārthāya śivena paramātmanā

Translation

O sage, in ancient times the greatness of Kṣamā (forgiveness) was taught by Lord Śiva, the Supreme Self, to the Goddess in the presence of Rudra, for the welfare and guidance of the worlds.

Word by Word

• purā: formerly/once
• purā: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: purā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb of time (कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण)

• rudrākṣa-mahimā: the glory of Rudrākṣa
• rudrākṣa-mahimā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rudrākṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + mahimā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); 'the glory of Rudrākṣa'

• devyagre: before the Goddess
• devyagre: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: devī (प्रातिपदिक) + agra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyayībhāva (अव्ययीभाव) used adverbially; Locative sense: 'in front of the देवी'

• kathitaḥ: was narrated
• kathitaḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kath (धातु) + ita (क्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); passive sense 'was told'

• mune: O sage
• mune: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (सम्बोधन/8), Singular (एकवचन)

• loka-upakaraṇa-arthāya: for the world's benefit
• loka-upakaraṇa-arthāya: Sampradāna/Purpose (सम्प्रदान/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: loka (प्रातिपदिक) + upakaraṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Dative (चतुर्थी/4), Singular (एकवचन); purpose: 'for the benefit/service of the world'

• śivena: by Śiva
• śivena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular (एकवचन)

• paramātmanā: by the Supreme Self
• paramātmanā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: paramātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular (एकवचन); appositional epithet to śivena

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: teaching

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: mythic primordial teaching (purā) for loka-upakāra

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati
• Rudra

FAQs

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

The verse presents kṣamā (forgiveness/forbearance) as a divine teaching of Parameśvara Śiva meant for loka-upakāra—world-welfare—showing that spiritual maturity in Shaiva dharma is expressed through compassion, restraint, and the release of ego-based reactions.

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

Although not naming the Liṅga directly, it frames Śiva as the compassionate teacher (Saguna Śiva) who gives practical dharma for devotees; such virtues purify the mind, making one fit for Liṅga-worship and for realizing Śiva as Paramātman beyond anger and duality.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to pair daily Śiva-japa (e.g., Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with a vow of kṣamā—consciously forgiving offenses—especially before pūjā, so worship is performed with a purified, non-hostile mind.