Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 31

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

Devanagari script

अथ कर्मवितानेशः प्रसन्नः परमेश्वरः । प्राह मां प्रांजलिं प्रीत्या लौकिकीं गतिमाश्रितः

Transliteration

atha karmavitāneśaḥ prasannaḥ parameśvaraḥ | prāha māṃ prāṃjaliṃ prītyā laukikīṃ gatimāśritaḥ

Translation

そのとき、あらゆる聖なる儀礼の広がりを司る至上主は、歓び満ちて慈しみ深く、合掌して立つ私に語りかけられた。愛ゆえに、世間に親しい口調を仮にお取りになったのである。

Word by Word

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/discourse)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, अनुक्रम/आरम्भसूचक (then/now)

• कर्मवितानेशः: lord of the ritual arrangement
• कर्मवितानेशः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्मवितान + ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः ‘कर्मवितानस्य ईशः’

• प्रसन्नः: pleased
• प्रसन्नः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रसन्न (प्रातिपदिक; क्त-कृदन्त from सद्/सद् with प्र-)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• परमेश्वरः: the Supreme Lord
• परमेश्वरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परम + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः ‘परमः ईश्वरः’

• प्राह: said
• प्राह: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + अह्/ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• माम्: to me / me
• माम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• प्राञ्जलिम्: (me) with folded hands
• प्राञ्जलिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्राञ्जलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; माम् इति विशेषण (one with folded hands)

• प्रीत्या: with affection
• प्रीत्या: Hetu (हेतु/Instrumental of cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रीति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• लौकिकीम्: worldly
• लौकिकीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लौकिकी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; गतिम् इति विशेषण

• गतिम्: state/condition/way
• गतिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• आश्रितः: having assumed / having taken refuge in
• आश्रितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आ + श्रि (धातु) + क्त → आश्रित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (of parameśvaraḥ)

Speaker

Lord Shiva (Parameśvara)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse frames Śiva as karmavitāneśa—Lord of the entire ritual order—who graciously adopts a human-like mode of address to bless the officiant and proceedings.

Significance: Highlights that ritual efficacy culminates in īśvara-prasāda (grace), not merely correct performance; encourages devotees to seek Śiva’s approachable compassion in worship.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It highlights Śiva’s anugraha (grace): when the devotee stands in humility (prāñjali), the Supreme Lord becomes ‘prasanna’ and communicates in an accessible way, showing that the transcendent Pati also lovingly meets the pashu (soul) where it is.

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

The phrase “laukikīṃ gatim āśritaḥ” reflects Saguna compassion—Śiva adopts a relatable mode for devotees, just as the Linga and other forms allow approach to the Nirguna reality through a concrete, worshipful presence.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The immediate practice is reverent surrender (añjali-mudrā) and bhakti; in Shaiva discipline this is supported by japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and steady pūjā with humility, inviting Śiva’s prasāda (gracious response).