Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 11

प्रयागे महत्समाजः — शिवदर्शनं दक्षागमनं च

The Great Assembly at Prayāga: Śiva’s Appearance and Dakṣa’s Arrival

Devanagari script

नानाविहारकृन्नाथस्स्वतंत्र परमोतिकृत् । नानामत्तं तदा दक्षं स्वासनस्थो महेश्वरः

Transliteration

nānāvihārakṛnnāthassvataṃtra paramotikṛt | nānāmattaṃ tadā dakṣaṃ svāsanastho maheśvaraḥ

Translation

Alors Maheshvara — le Seigneur qui se divertit en mille jeux, pleinement indépendant et souverainement exalté — demeura assis sur son propre siège et considéra Daksha, alors enflé d’orgueils multiples.

Word by Word

• nānā-vihāra-kṛt: one who performs various sports/activities
• nānā-vihāra-kṛt: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nānā (अव्यय) + vihāra (प्रातिपदिक) + kṛ (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (Kridanta), कृत्-प्रत्ययान्त: कृत् (कृ + कृत्), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समास: नानाविहारः यस्य/यः करोति इति (उपपद-तत्पुरुष)

• nāthaḥ: the lord
• nāthaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nātha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• svatantraḥ: independent
• svatantraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: svatantra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण

• paramaḥ: supreme
• paramaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण

• utkṛt: exalted / eminent
• utkṛt: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ut + kṛ (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त, कृत्-प्रत्ययान्त: कृत् (उत् + कृ + कृत्), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण

• nānā-mattam: variously intoxicated/arrogant (one)
• nānā-mattam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nānā (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययार्थ) + matta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; कर्मधारय: नानाविधः मत्तः (variously intoxicated/arrogant) इति; विशेषण

• tadā: then
• tadā: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (temporal adverb)

• dakṣam: Dakṣa
• dakṣam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dakṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• sva-āsana-sthaḥ: seated on his own seat
• sva-āsana-sthaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + āsana (प्रातिपदिक) + stha (धातु/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समास: स्वस्य आसने स्थितः इति (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• maheśvaraḥ: Maheśvara (Śiva)
• maheśvaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maheśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Daksha

FAQs

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

It contrasts Daksha’s ego-intoxication with Shiva’s supreme independence (svatantratā), teaching that pride veils right understanding and that liberation arises through humility before Pati, the Lord.

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

Shiva seated in majesty signifies Saguna Shiva approachable to devotees; yet His “svatantra” nature reminds worshippers that the Linga is not a mere symbol controlled by ritual pride, but the living presence of the Supreme Lord.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to worship with humility—japa of the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and offering with Tripuṇḍra-bhasma devotion—specifically to reduce ahamkara (ego) rather than to display status.