Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 24

तारकवधोत्तरं देवस्तुतिः पर्वतवरप्रदानं च / Devas’ Hymn after Tāraka’s Slaying and the Bestowal of Boons upon the Mountains

Devanagari script

महानंदभरः शंभुश्चकार मुखचुंबनम् । कुमारस्य महास्नेहात् तारकारेर्महाप्रभोः

Transliteration

mahānaṃdabharaḥ śaṃbhuścakāra mukhacuṃbanam | kumārasya mahāsnehāt tārakārermahāprabhoḥ

Translation

大いなる歓喜に満たされて、主シャンブはクマーラの顔に口づけした。それは、やがてターラカを討つことになるその偉大なる主への深い愛情ゆえであった。

Word by Word

• महानन्दभरः: a load of great joy
• महानन्दभरः: कर्ता (Karta; apposition to शंभुः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + आनन्द + भर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समास: महानन्दस्य भरः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• शंभुः: Śambhu (Śiva)
• शंभुः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शंभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• चकार: did/made
• चकार: क्रिया (Main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect/लिट्), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• मुखचुम्बनम्: a kiss on the face
• मुखचुम्बनम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुख + चुम्बन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समास: मुखस्य चुम्बनम् (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• कुमारस्य: of the boy (Kumāra)
• कुमारस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुमार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• महास्नेहात्: out of great affection
• महास्नेहात्: हेतु (Hetu/Cause; ablative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + स्नेह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/पञ्चमी), एकवचन; समास: महान् स्नेहः (कर्मधारय)

• तारकारेः: of the enemy of Tāraka (Kumāra)
• तारकारेः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation; to महाप्रभोः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तारक + अरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; समास: तारकस्य अरिः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• महाप्रभोः: of the great lord
• महाप्रभोः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + प्रभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; समास: महान् प्रभुः (कर्मधारय)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Kartikeya
• Tarakasura

FAQs

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

It highlights Śiva’s saguna-līlā: the Lord’s tender affection is not mere emotion but an expression of grace (anugraha) that strengthens the devotee and reveals the Lord’s approachable, compassionate nature.

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

While the Liṅga points to the transcendent (nirguṇa) reality, this verse emphasizes Saguna Śiva—personally present, blessing and nurturing. Liṅga-worship matures into intimate devotion where the devotee experiences Śiva as a living Lord who bestows protection and empowerment.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice bhakti with the pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” meditating on Śiva’s compassionate form; offer simple upacāras (water, bilva leaves) and cultivate childlike trust in Śiva’s anugraha.