Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 16

नारद–हिमालयसंवादवर्णनम्

Nārada and Himālaya: Discourse on Pārvatī’s Signs and Destiny

Devanagari script

तच्छुत्वा त्वं मुने प्रात्थ महाकौतुककारकः । हिमाचलं शुभैर्वाक्यैर्हर्षयन्वाग्विशारदः

Transliteration

tacchutvā tvaṃ mune prāttha mahākautukakārakaḥ | himācalaṃ śubhairvākyairharṣayanvāgviśāradaḥ

Translation

それを聞いて、聖仙よ、あなたは大いなる驚異を起こす言葉を語った。言葉に通じたあなたは、吉祥なる言葉によってヒマーチャラ（ヒマラヤ）を歓喜させた。

Word by Word

• tat: that
• tat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); pronoun

• śrutvā: having heard
• śrutvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण; prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śru (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), 'having heard'

• tvam: you
• tvam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Feminine (उभयलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); 2nd person pronoun

• mune: O sage
• mune: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (सम्बोधन), Singular (एकवचन)

• prāttha: you said/spoke
• prāttha: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra+ah (धातु)
• Form: Luṅ (लुङ्, Aorist), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 2nd person (मध्यमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• mahā-kautuka-kārakaḥ: causing great wonder
• mahā-kautuka-kārakaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + kautuka (प्रातिपदिक) + kāraka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); adjective of 'tvam'; तत्पुरुष: 'mahā kautukam karoti' = 'causing great wonder/curiosity'

• himācalam: Himālaya (snow-mountain)
• himācalam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hima (प्रातिपदिक) + acala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); कर्मधारय: 'himaḥ acalaḥ'

• śubhaiḥ: with auspicious
• śubhaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śubha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); adjective qualifying 'vākyaiḥ'

• vākyaiḥ: words
• vākyaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• harṣayan: gladdening
• harṣayan: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: hṛṣ (धातु)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ/वर्तमान-कृदन्त), Masculine Nominative Singular; 'causing to rejoice'

• vāk-viśāradaḥ: skilled in speech
• vāk-viśāradaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vāk (प्रातिपदिक) + viśārada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); adjective of 'tvam'; तत्पुरुष: 'vācāṃ viśāradaḥ' (skilled in speech)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Himacala (Himalaya)

FAQs

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

It highlights the Shaiva value of śubha-vāk (auspicious, truth-aligned speech): sacred narration and supportive words can awaken joy, faith, and receptivity—qualities that prepare the mind for devotion to Pati (Śiva) and the unfolding of divine destiny.

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

Though the verse does not mention the Liṅga directly, it reflects a key Saguna approach: devotion grows through uplifting dialogue, praise, and remembrance. Such speech supports bhakti that later matures into focused worship—often expressed in Liṅga-pūjā, mantra, and stotra.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice disciplined, auspicious speech alongside japa—especially the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”)—so that one’s words and mind both become instruments of devotion and inner purification.