Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 12

शिवानुकम्पा, ब्रह्मणो निर्भयत्वं च (Śiva’s Compassion and Brahmā’s Fearlessness)

Devanagari script

अस्य पापस्य शुध्यर्थं प्रायश्चित्तं वद प्रभो । निग्रहं च तथान्यायं येन पापं प्रयातु मे

Transliteration

asya pāpasya śudhyarthaṃ prāyaścittaṃ vada prabho | nigrahaṃ ca tathānyāyaṃ yena pāpaṃ prayātu me

Translation

「主よ、この罪を清めるための贖罪（プラーヤシュチッタ）をお告げください。さらに、罪が我より去るよう、正しい抑制と正当なる戒めの規範をお定めください。」

Word by Word

• अस्य: of this
• अस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• पापस्य: of the sin
• पापस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन

• शुद्धि-अर्थम्: for purification
• शुद्धि-अर्थम्: प्रयोजन (Purpose/अर्थ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; चतुर्थी/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषार्थ (शुद्ध्यर्थम् = शुद्ध्यै अर्थः)

• प्रायश्चित्तम्: expiation
• प्रायश्चित्तम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रायश्चित्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• वद: tell/say
• वद: क्रिया (Command)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वद् (धातु; √वद्)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• प्रभो: O Lord
• प्रभो: सम्बोधन (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

• निग्रहम्: restraint/discipline
• निग्रहम्: कर्म (Karma/Object; also ‘restraint/penance’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• तथा: also/likewise
• तथा: सम्बन्ध/क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb: ‘thus/also’)

• अन्यायम्: improper act/injustice
• अन्यायम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्याय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• येन: by which
• येन: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument; ‘by which’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; सम्बन्ध-प्रश्नवाचक सर्वनाम

• पापम्: sin
• पापम्: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; अत्र प्रथमा (subject of प्रयातु)

• प्रयातु: may it depart/go away
• प्रयातु: क्रिया (Action; optative command)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु; √या)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative/benedictive sense), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद; उपसर्ग: प्र

• मे: from me/of me
• मे: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th/Genitive) एकवचन (enclitic)

Speaker

Satī (addressing Lord Śiva)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Satī

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Sati

FAQs

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

The verse highlights the Shaiva Siddhanta ethic that purification from pāpa requires both inner transformation (nigraha—self-restraint) and a dharmic remedial act (prāyaścitta), undertaken with humility before Śiva, the supreme purifier (Pati).

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

By approaching Śiva as “Prabhu,” the devotee seeks guidance and cleansing through devotion to Saguna Śiva—often expressed through Linga-worship—where repentance, confession, and disciplined living become offerings that prepare the heart for Śiva’s grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The verse implies adopting prāyaścitta along with nigraha: regular japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), observance of vows/fasts as appropriate, and disciplined conduct—supported by Shaiva aids like bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and Rudrākṣa where prescribed in the tradition.