Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 22

सेवातत्त्वप्रश्नः — The Question of Whom to Serve (Sevā) for the Removal of Suffering

Devanagari script

भवनानि मनोज्ञानि मनोज्ञाभरणाः स्त्रियः । धनं च तुष्टिपर्यंतं पुत्रपौत्रादिसंततिः

Transliteration

bhavanāni manojñāni manojñābharaṇāḥ striyaḥ | dhanaṃ ca tuṣṭiparyaṃtaṃ putrapautrādisaṃtatiḥ

Translation

Il est des demeures charmantes, des femmes parées d’ornements agréables, des richesses suffisantes pour contenter le cœur, et une lignée ininterrompue de fils, de petits-fils et de descendants.

Word by Word

• भवनानि: houses, dwellings
• भवनानि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भवन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• मनोज्ञानि: pleasing, delightful
• मनोज्ञानि: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनोज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• मनोज्ञ-आभरणाः: with pleasing ornaments
• मनोज्ञ-आभरणाः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनोज्ञ + आभरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय (मनोज्ञानि आभरणानि यस्याः/यासाम्) — स्त्रियः इति विशेषण

• स्त्रियः: women
• स्त्रियः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• धनम्: wealth
• धनम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• तुष्टि-पर्यन्तम्: up to satisfaction
• तुष्टि-पर्यन्तम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तुष्टि + पर्यन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव (तुष्टिं पर्यन्तम् = up to satisfaction); अव्ययवत् प्रयोग

• पुत्र-पौत्र-आदि-संततिः: lineage of sons, grandsons, etc.
• पुत्र-पौत्र-आदि-संततिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्र + पौत्र + आदि + संतति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समाहार/निर्देशार्थ तत्पुरुष (पुत्रपौत्रादीनां संततिः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Lists typical laukika-sampad (household prosperity) that devotees often seek; in Siddhānta terms these are within māyā’s domain and can function as tirodhāna when mistaken for the highest good.

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

FAQs

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

The verse lists classical signs of worldly well-being—home, agreeable companionship, adequate wealth, and continuing progeny—implying that such fruits arise within dharma; in Shaiva understanding, they are secondary and should be offered to Pati (Shiva) rather than treated as the final goal.

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

These are typical boons sought from Saguna Shiva through Linga-worship—order, stability, and contentment in household life—yet the Purana repeatedly directs devotees to move from seeking boons to seeking Shiva’s grace that culminates in liberation.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice contentment (tuṣṭi) and dedicate prosperity to Shiva through daily Linga-puja with Panchakshara japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), maintaining a dharmic household without attachment.