Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 32

सती-शिवचरित्रप्रसङ्गः / The Account of Satī and Śiva’s Divine Conduct

Prelude to Detailed Narrative

Devanagari script

काविमौ पुरुषौ नाथ विरहव्याकुलाकृती । विचरंतौ वने क्लिष्टौ दीनौ वीरौ धनुर्धरौ

Transliteration

kāvimau puruṣau nātha virahavyākulākṛtī | vicaraṃtau vane kliṣṭau dīnau vīrau dhanurdharau

Translation

Ô Seigneur, ces deux hommes, dont l’aspect est bouleversé par la douleur de la séparation, errent dans la forêt, épuisés et accablés ; bien qu’ils soient de vaillants archers, ils paraissent abattus et misérables.

Word by Word

• kau: who (two)?
• kau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Dual (द्विवचन); interrogative pronoun

• imau: these two
• imau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual; demonstrative used adjectivally with puruṣau

• puruṣau: men/persons (two)
• puruṣau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puruṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• nātha: O lord
• nātha: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nātha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (8th), Singular

• viraha: separation
• viraha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viraha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, stem in compound

• vyākula: distressed
• vyākula: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vyākula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Stem in compound; ‘agitated/distressed’

• ākṛtī: having an appearance distressed by separation
• ākṛtī: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ākṛti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st), Dual; compound viraha-vyākula-ākṛtī = ‘having a form/appearance distressed by separation’

• vicaraṃtau: wandering
• vicaraṃtau: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-car (वि + चर् धातु)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ), Masculine, Nominative, Dual; agrees with puruṣau

• vane: in the forest
• vane: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th), Singular

• kliṣṭau: afflicted/weary
• kliṣṭau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kliṣṭa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual; past participial adjective from kliś (क्लिश्)

• dīnau: wretched
• dīnau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dīna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• vīrau: heroes (two)
• vīrau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual; apposition to puruṣau

• dhanuḥ: bow
• dhanuḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhanus (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, stem in compound

• dharau: bow-bearers
• dharau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual; compound dhanuḥ-dharau = ‘bow-bearers’ (upapada-tatpuruṣa)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It highlights how intense separation (viraha) can humble even the brave, turning outward strength into inward yearning—an experience that, in Shaiva understanding, can mature the soul (paśu) toward seeking refuge in Pati (Shiva).

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

By portraying suffering caused by worldly bonds, the verse implicitly points toward Saguna Shiva as the compassionate Lord to be approached for steadiness; Linga-worship is presented in the Purana as a direct, accessible means to anchor the mind when it is shaken by grief.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchakshara mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to stabilize the mind during distress; if following Shaiva puranic practice, one may also support it with Tripundra (bhasma) and Rudraksha as aids to remembrance.