Shloka 89

रुद्राक्ष-माहात्म्य

Rudrākṣa Māhātmya — The Greatness of Rudraksha

Devanagari script

शिवस्यातिप्रियौ ज्ञेयौ भस्मरुद्रा क्षधारिणौ । तद्धारणप्रभावद्धि भुक्तिर्मुक्तिर्न संशयः

Transliteration

śivasyātipriyau jñeyau bhasmarudrā kṣadhāriṇau | taddhāraṇaprabhāvaddhi bhuktirmuktirna saṃśayaḥ

Translation

Know that sacred ash (bhasma) and the Rudrākṣa beads are exceedingly dear to Śiva. Indeed, by the very power of wearing them, one attains both worldly well-being (bhukti) and liberation (mukti)—of this there is no doubt.

Word by Word

• शिवस्य: of Śiva
• शिवस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), एकवचन

• अतिप्रियौ: very dear (two)
• अतिप्रियौ: Vidheyavisheshana (विधेयविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अति (अव्यय) + प्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय (अत्यन्तं प्रियौ), पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), द्विवचन (dual)

• ज्ञेयौ: should be known
• ज्ञेयौ: Vidhi (विधि)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्ञा (धातु) + यत् (कृदन्त)
• Form: यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृत्य (gerundive: ‘to be known’), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन

• भस्मरुद्राक्षधारिणौ: the two wearers of ash and rudrākṣa
• भस्मरुद्राक्षधारिणौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भस्म + रुद्राक्ष + धारिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (भस्म-रुद्राक्षे धारयतः), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन

• तत्: of that (i.e., of wearing it)
• तत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम (pronoun used adjectivally), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), एकवचन

• धारणप्रभावात्: due to the power/effect of wearing
• धारणप्रभावात्: Hetu/Apadana (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धारण + प्रभाव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (धारणस्य प्रभावः), पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), पञ्चमी (Ablative/5th), एकवचन

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphatic particle)

• भुक्तिः: enjoyment (worldly attainment)
• भुक्तिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भुक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन

• मुक्तिः: liberation
• मुक्तिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय (negation particle)

• संशयः: doubt
• संशयः: Pratishedhya (प्रतिषेध्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संशय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Rudraksha
• Bhasma

FAQs

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

The verse teaches that adopting Śiva’s sacred emblems—bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and Rudrākṣa—purifies the devotee, strengthens Shaiva identity and discipline, and supports both dharmic prosperity (bhukti) and the highest aim of liberation (mukti) through Śiva’s grace.

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

Bhasma and Rudrākṣa are classic marks of Saguna Śiva-bhakti and are commonly worn while performing Liṅga-pūjā, japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and other Shaiva observances, signaling surrender to Pati (Śiva) and readiness for His anugraha (grace).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Wear Rudrākṣa and apply bhasma as Tripuṇḍra with devotion, ideally alongside daily Liṅga-worship and Pañcākṣarī japa, treating these as aids to purity, steadiness of mind, and remembrance of Śiva.