Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 38

जालन्धरस्य दूतप्रेषणम् — Jalandhara Sends an Envoy to Kailāsa

The Provocation of Śiva

Devanagari script

महादेव उवाच । प्रभुं च ब्राह्मणं दूतं राह्वाख्यं शरणागतम् । शरण्या रक्षणीया हि न दण्ड्या गणसत्तम

Transliteration

mahādeva uvāca | prabhuṃ ca brāhmaṇaṃ dūtaṃ rāhvākhyaṃ śaraṇāgatam | śaraṇyā rakṣaṇīyā hi na daṇḍyā gaṇasattama

Translation

Mahādeva dit : « Ô le meilleur des gaṇas, ce noble brāhmaṇa messager nommé Rāhu est venu chercher refuge. Celui qui s’est réfugié doit être protégé par ceux qui accordent asile ; il ne doit pas être châtié. »

Word by Word

• mahādevaḥ: Mahādeva
• mahādevaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahādeva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन; (उवाच इति वाक्ये कर्ता)

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; धातुः—वच् (वक्तव्ये)

• prabhum: the lord/master
• prabhum: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prabhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• brāhmaṇam: the brāhmaṇa
• brāhmaṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brāhmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• dūtam: messenger
• dūtam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dūta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• rāhu-ākhyam: named Rāhu
• rāhu-ākhyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rāhu (प्रातिपदik) + ākhya (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; समासः—राहुः आख्यः (कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-प्राय)

• śaraṇa-āgatam: who has sought refuge
• śaraṇa-āgatam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śaraṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + āgata (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; समासः—शरणम् आगतः (तत्पुरुष)

• śaraṇyāḥ: (they) who are to be given refuge
• śaraṇyāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaraṇya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), बहुवचन; ‘शरण्य’ = शरणं दातुं योग्याः (those worthy to be given refuge)

• rakṣaṇīyāḥ: must be protected
• rakṣaṇīyāḥ: Vidhi/Obligation (विधि)
• Type: Verb
• Root: rakṣ (धातु)
• Form: अनीयर्-प्रत्ययान्त (Gerundive/obligative), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), बहुवचन; धातुः—रक्ष् (पालने)

• hi: indeed/for
• hi: Hetu-bhāva (हेतु/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphasis/causal particle)

• na: not
• na: Kriyā-niṣedha (क्रिया-निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (negation)

• daṇḍyāḥ: to be punished
• daṇḍyāḥ: Vidhi/Prohibition (विधि/निषेध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: daṇḍya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (Gerundive/obligative), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), बहुवचन; ‘दण्ड्य’ = दण्डं कर्तुं योग्याः

• gaṇa-sattama: O best of the gaṇas
• gaṇa-sattama: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + sattama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन; समासः—गणेषु सत्तमः (सप्तमी-तत्पुरुष)

Speaker

Lord Shiva (Mahādeva)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Ishana

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: General teaching: śaraṇāgata is inviolable; approaching Śiva (or His kṣetra/temple) as refuge is held to confer protection and removal of fear.

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Rāhu
• Gaṇas
• Brāhmaṇa
• Dūta (messenger)

FAQs

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

It establishes śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) as a sacred vow: the truly Shaiva-hearted protect the surrendered, reflecting Śiva’s role as Pati—the compassionate Lord who removes fear and safeguards the soul (paśu).

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

In Saguna worship, Śiva is approached as the refuge-giver (śaraṇya). This verse mirrors that devotional relationship: as devotees seek shelter at the Liṅga, they are called to embody Śiva’s protection and restraint in action.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice śaraṇāgati through daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a vow of non-harm and protection of the vulnerable; let Tripuṇḍra/bhasma remembrance reinforce inner restraint before reacting or punishing.