Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 63

घनागमवर्णनम् / Description of the Monsoon’s Onset

Satī’s Address to Śiva

Devanagari script

देविकाभिर्दीर्घिकाभिर्गंधिभिस्सुसमावृतम् । प्रफुल्लकुसुमैर्नित्यं सकुंजैरुपशोभितम्

Transliteration

devikābhirdīrghikābhirgaṃdhibhissusamāvṛtam | praphullakusumairnityaṃ sakuṃjairupaśobhitam

Translation

Ce lieu était magnifiquement entouré d’étangs parfumés et de lacs de lotus, et toujours orné de fleurs pleinement épanouies et de bosquets charmants.

Word by Word

• देविकाभिः: by/with divine maidens (devikās)
• देविकाभिः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देविका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; करण

• दीर्घिकाभिः: with ponds/tanks
• दीर्घिकाभिः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीर्घिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; करण

• गन्धिभिः: with fragrant (things)
• गन्धिभिः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गन्धिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, तृतीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण (e.g., of winds/flowers/places), करण

• सुसमावृतम्: well covered/surrounded
• सुसमावृतम्: Karma (कर्म/Object described)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सु (अव्यय-उपसर्ग) + सम् + आ + वृ (धातु) + आवृत (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle) with उपसर्ग; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; (स्थलम्) विशेषणम्

• प्रफुल्ल-कुसुमैः: with fully blossomed flowers
• प्रफुल्ल-कुसुमैः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रफुल्ल (प्रातिपदिक) + कुसुम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय (प्रफुल्लानि कुसुमानि), करण

• नित्यम्: always, constantly
• नित्यम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययीभाववत्)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (adverb of time)

• सकुञ्जैः: with groves/arbors
• सकुञ्जैः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुञ्ज (प्रातिपदिक) सह स- (उपसर्गवत्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; करण; स- उपसर्गार्थः ‘सहित’ (with groves)

• उपशोभितम्: further adorned, embellished
• उपशोभितम्: Karma (कर्म/Object described)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप + शुभ्/शोभ् (धातु) + शोभित (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle) with उपसर्ग; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; (स्थलम्) विशेषणम्

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati

FAQs

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

The verse portrays a sanctified, fragrance-filled landscape—an outer reflection of inner purity (śauca) and devotional refinement. In a Śaiva Siddhānta lens, such sacred surroundings support the jīva’s turning toward Pati (Śiva) through bhakti and disciplined reverence.

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

Blossomed flowers, groves, and pure waters are classic supports for saguna-upāsanā—worship of Śiva with form, qualities, and sacred presence. The imagery aligns with traditional liṅga-sevā where fragrant flowers and clean, serene settings elevate attention and devotion.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A simple takeaway is puṣpārcana (flower-offering) and maintaining a clean, fragrant worship space; mentally, visualize a pure sacred grove while repeating the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” to steady bhakti and concentration.