Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 27

प्रयागे महत्समाजः — शिवदर्शनं दक्षागमनं च

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

Devanagari script

पाखंडवादनिरताः शिष्टाचारबहिष्कृताः । मदिरापाननिरता जटा भस्मास्थिधारिणः

Transliteration

pākhaṃḍavādaniratāḥ śiṣṭācārabahiṣkṛtāḥ | madirāpānaniratā jaṭā bhasmāsthidhāriṇaḥ

Translation

Ils s’adonnent à des propos hérétiques, rejetés des usages des gens de bien ; adonnés à l’ivresse, ils portent les cheveux emmêlés (jaṭā) et transportent cendre et ossements.

Word by Word

• पाखण्ड-वाद-निरताः: engaged in heretical talk
• पाखण्ड-वाद-निरताः: Karta (कर्ता/वर्ण्य-समूहः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पाखण्ड (प्रातिपदिक) + वाद (प्रातिपदिक) + निरत (कृदन्त; √रम्/रमँ (धातु) + नि-, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (पाखण्डवादे निरताः)

• शिष्ट-आचार-बहिष्कृताः: excluded from proper conduct
• शिष्ट-आचार-बहिष्कृताः: Karta (कर्ता/वर्ण्य-समूहः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिष्ट (प्रातिपदिक) + आचार (प्रातिपदिक) + बहिष्कृत (कृदन्त; √कृ (धातु) + बहिस्-, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (शिष्टाचारात् बहिष्कृताः)

• मदिरा-पान-निरताः: addicted to drinking liquor
• मदिरा-पान-निरताः: Karta (कर्ता/वर्ण्य-समूहः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मदिरा (प्रातिपदिक) + पान (प्रातिपदिक) + निरत (कृदन्त; √रम् (धातु) + नि-, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (मदिरापाने निरताः)

• जटाः: matted locks
• जटाः: Karta (कर्ता/वर्ण्य-लक्षणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जटा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• भस्म-अस्थि-धारिणः: bearing ash and bones
• भस्म-अस्थि-धारिणः: Karta (कर्ता/वर्ण्य-समूहः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भस्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + अस्थि (प्रातिपदिक) + धारिन् (कृदन्त; √धृ (धातु), णिनि-प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (भस्म च अस्थि च धारयन्ति)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Āghoramūrti

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga passage; it is Dakṣa’s party’s polemical characterization of Śaiva ascetics/gaṇas (jaṭā, bhasma, asthi) as ‘pākhaṇḍa’.

Significance: Functions as a caution against judging Śaiva marks (bhasma, jaṭā) through merely social ‘śiṣṭācāra’; in Siddhānta, external signs are meaningful when grounded in right devotion and initiation.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It cautions that external marks of renunciation (matted hair, ash, bone-ornaments) do not by themselves indicate Shaiva devotion; without śiṣṭācāra (right conduct) and inner purity, such display can become hypocrisy that obstructs dharma and liberation.

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

Linga-worship in the Shaiva Siddhanta spirit emphasizes disciplined conduct, purity, and sincere bhakti; the verse implies that merely imitating Shaiva symbols while living in intoxication and false doctrine is contrary to the intent of Saguna Shiva worship.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Adopt authentic Shaiva discipline: wear bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) with reverence, practice japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and maintain sobriety and ethical conduct so outer observances align with inner devotion.