Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 5

देवशरणागति-नारदप्रेषणम् | The Devas Take Refuge in Śiva; Nārada Is Sent

Devanagari script

अथ देवमुनिर्ज्ञानी शंभुभक्तस्सतां गतिः । शिवाज्ञया ययौ दैत्यपुरे देवान्स नारदः

Transliteration

atha devamunirjñānī śaṃbhubhaktassatāṃ gatiḥ | śivājñayā yayau daityapure devānsa nāradaḥ

Translation

પછી દેવમુનિ, જ્ઞાની, શંભુભક્ત અને સજ્જનોના આશ્રય નારદ શિવની આજ્ઞાથી દેવોને સાથે લઈને દૈત્યપુરે ગયા।

Word by Word

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्धबोधक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रम/आरम्भसूचक (particle: then/now)

• देवमुनिः: the divine sage
• देवमुनिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवमुनि (प्रातिपदिक: देव + मुनि)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समास: तत्पुरुष (देवानां मुनिः)

• ज्ञानी: wise/knowing
• ज्ञानी: Viśeṣaṇa of Karta (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्ञानिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण

• शंभुभक्तः: devotee of Śambhu
• शंभुभक्तः: Viśeṣaṇa of Karta (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शंभुभक्त (प्रातिपदिक: शंभु + भक्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण; समास: तत्पुरुष (शंभोः भक्तः)

• सताम्: of the good (people)
• सताम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• गतिः: refuge/goal
• गतिः: Pradhāna-nāma (प्रथमा/सम्बन्धवाचक)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• शिवाज्ञया: by Śiva’s command
• शिवाज्ञया: Karaṇa/Hetu (करण/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिवाज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक: शिव + आज्ञा)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; करण/हेतु-भाव (by/through the command); समास: तत्पुरुष (शिवस्य आज्ञा)

• ययौ: went
• ययौ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/परोक्षभूत), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• दैत्यपुरे: to/at the city of the demons
• दैत्यपुरे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दैत्यपुर (प्रातिपदिक: दैत्य + पुर)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; अधिकरण (location); समास: तत्पुरुष (दैत्यस्य/दैत्यानां पुरम्)

• देवान्: the gods
• देवान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• नारदः: Nārada
• नारदः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नारद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; apposition to सः

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Models obedience to Śiva’s ājñā as a path of dharma; the ‘satāṃ gatiḥ’ epithet suggests refuge through alignment with Śiva’s will.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shambhu
• Narada
• Devas
• Daityas

FAQs

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

It highlights Śiva as Pati (the supreme Lord) whose command directs even divine beings, and portrays the jñānī-bhakta Nārada as the ideal instrument of grace—acting for dharma without ego, guided by Śiva’s will.

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

The verse emphasizes Saguna Śiva (Śambhu) as the personal Lord who issues ājñā and governs cosmic order; devotion to such a Lord is shown through śaraṇāgati (surrender) and service, which are central to Shiva worship alongside Linga-upāsanā.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is ājñā-anusaraṇa (living by Śiva’s command): practice daily japa of the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with a surrendered attitude, offering actions as service to Śiva (sevā-bhāva).