Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 41

दक्षस्य विष्णुं प्रति शरणागतिḥ — Dakṣa’s Appeal to Viṣṇu and the Teaching on Disrespect to Śiva

Devanagari script

शैवं शपथमुल्लंघ्य स्थितं मां चक्रमीदृशम् । असंहत्यैव सहसा कृपयैव स्थिरं परम्

Transliteration

śaivaṃ śapathamullaṃghya sthitaṃ māṃ cakramīdṛśam | asaṃhatyaiva sahasā kṛpayaiva sthiraṃ param

Translation

Ayant transgressé le vœu śaiva, je me suis trouvé en une telle condition—tel une roue instable qui tourne sans repos. Pourtant, sans être brisé, soudain—par la seule grâce—j’ai été raffermi de nouveau dans l’état suprême.

Word by Word

• शैवम्: Śaiva (pertaining to Śiva)
• शैवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शैव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण (शपथम् इति)

• शपथम्: oath
• शपथम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शपथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• उल्लङ्घ्य: having violated
• उल्लङ्घ्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उत् + लङ्घ् (धातु) → उल्लङ्घ्य (ल्यप्)
• Form: अव्ययकृदन्त; ल्यप्-प्रत्यय (gerund): 'having transgressed'

• स्थितम्: stood, remained
• स्थितम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु) → स्थित (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (Past Passive Participle/क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; (चक्रम् इति)

• माम्: me
• माम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• चक्रम्: discus
• चक्रम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• ईदृशम्: such, of this kind
• ईदृशम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ईदृश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (चक्रम् इति)

• असंहत्य: without killing/without striking down
• असंहत्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अ + सम् + हन् (धातु) → असंहत्य (ल्यप्)
• Form: अव्ययकृदन्त; ल्यप्-प्रत्यय (gerund): 'without striking/without killing' (negated gerund)

• एव: indeed, just
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण-निपात

• सहसा: suddenly, swiftly
• सहसा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सहसा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (suddenly/quickly)

• कृपया: by grace, through mercy
• कृपया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृपा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण-निपात

• स्थिरम्: steady, firm
• स्थिरम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्थिर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (परम् इति/स्थितम् इति)

• परम्: supreme, exceedingly
• परम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण

Speaker

Satī (speaking in a reflective/penitent tone within the Satīkhaṇḍa narrative)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Satī

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Sati

FAQs

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

It teaches that violating a Shaiva vow leads to inner instability (like a turning wheel), yet the soul can be restored to steadiness through Śiva’s compassion (anugraha), emphasizing grace as decisive in spiritual recovery.

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

The verse highlights returning to steadfast devotion after a lapse; in Saguna Śiva worship this is expressed through renewed Linga-upāsanā—reaffirming one’s vrata, offering worship with humility, and relying on Śiva’s kripā to re-establish spiritual firmness.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is vrata-renewal with repentance (prāyaścitta), followed by steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and regular Linga worship; the aim is stabilizing the mind through devotion and seeking Śiva’s grace.