Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 47

लिङ्गपूजनसंक्षेपः

Concise Teaching on Liṅga Worship / Śiva-arcana-vidhi

Devanagari script

ईशित्वं नैरृतं पत्रं वशित्वं वायुगोचरे । सर्वज्ञत्वं तथैशान्यं कर्णिका सोम उच्यते

Transliteration

īśitvaṃ nairṛtaṃ patraṃ vaśitvaṃ vāyugocare | sarvajñatvaṃ tathaiśānyaṃ karṇikā soma ucyate

Translation

On dit que le pétale du sud‑ouest signifie la souveraine maîtrise (īśitva). Dans la région de Vāyu, il signifie le pouvoir d’assujettir et de gouverner (vaśitva). Au nord‑est, il signifie l’omniscience (sarvajñatva). Le cœur central (péricarp) est proclamé Soma.

Word by Word

• īśitvam: lordship, sovereignty
• īśitvam: Kartā (कर्ता/Subject in equational sense)
• Type: Noun
• Root: īśitva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• nairṛtam: south-western
• nairṛtam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nairṛta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); दिशावाचक विशेषण (directional adjective)

• patram: petal, leaf
• patram: Kartā (कर्ता/Subject in equational sense)
• Type: Noun
• Root: patra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• vaśitvam: control, mastery
• vaśitvam: Kartā (कर्ता/Subject in equational sense)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaśitva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• vāyu-gocare: in the sphere/region of Vāyu (wind)
• vāyu-gocare: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vāyu (प्रातिपदिक) + gocara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), सप्तमी विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular); अधिकरणवाचक (locative of location)

• sarva-jñatvam: omniscience
• sarva-jñatvam: Kartā (कर्ता/Subject in equational sense)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + jñatva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• tathā: likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya), क्रियाविशेषण/समुच्चयार्थ (adverb: likewise/also)

• aiśānyam: north-eastern
• aiśānyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aiśānya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); दिशावाचक विशेषण (directional adjective)

• karṇikā: pericarp, central whorl
• karṇikā: Kartā (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karṇikā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• somaḥ: Soma (Moon)
• somaḥ: Kartā (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: soma (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• ucyate: is said/called
• ucyate: Kriyā (क्रिया/Predication)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present/Indicative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), आत्मनेपद (Ātmanepada), कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive voice)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Īśāna

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Soma
• Vayu
• Ishana

FAQs

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

It maps divine attributes (siddhi-like powers) onto sacred directions and the lotus-like structure, teaching that all powers arise from Shiva’s governance, while the center (Soma) signifies the cooling, grace-bestowing essence that steadies the mind for liberation.

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

In Saguna Linga-worship, devotees contemplate Shiva with form and cosmic order: directions, petals, and the central pericarp become a meditative diagram where Shiva’s powers are recognized as subordinate to Him, guiding the worshipper from outer symbolism to inner realization.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Directional (dik) contemplation during Linga or lotus-visualization meditation—mentally placing īśitva, vaśitva, and sarvajñatva in their respective quarters and resting awareness in the central Soma principle—paired with steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) if practiced.