Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 59

घनागमवर्णनम् / Description of the Monsoon’s Onset

Satī’s Address to Śiva

Devanagari script

शोभितं चक्रवाकाद्यैः कादंबैर्हंसशंकुभिः । प्रमत्तसारसैः क्रौंचैर्नीलस्कंधैश्च शब्दितैः

Transliteration

śobhitaṃ cakravākādyaiḥ kādaṃbairhaṃsaśaṃkubhiḥ | pramattasārasaiḥ krauṃcairnīlaskaṃdhaiśca śabditaiḥ

Translation

その地は、チャクラヴァーカをはじめとする群鳥、カーダンバ鳥と白鳥の列によって美しく飾られ、さらに歓喜に満ちたサーラサ（鶴）やクラウンチャ、青き首の鳥たちの鳴き声が四方に響き渡っていた。

Word by Word

• śobhitaṃ: adorned, beautified
• śobhitaṃ: Karmaṇi-viśeṣaṇa (कर्मणि विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śobhita (कृदन्त; √śubh/śobh शोभ्)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative/Accusative (प्रथमा/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); Past Passive Participle (क्त) used adjectivally

• cakravāka-ādyaiḥ: by (birds) beginning with cakravāka-ducks
• cakravāka-ādyaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: cakravāka (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); ādi-śabda: “beginning with” (आदि)

• kādambaiḥ: by kādamba-geese/ducks
• kādambaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kādamba (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• haṃsa-śaṃkubhiḥ: by swan-like (birds) / by haṃsa-śaṃku birds
• haṃsa-śaṃkubhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: haṃsa (प्रातिपदिक) + śaṃku (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• pramatta-sārasaiḥ: by intoxicated/excited cranes (sārasa)
• pramatta-sārasaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pramatta (प्रातिपदिक) + sārasá (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• krauṃcaiḥ: by krauñca-birds (curlews/cranes)
• krauṃcaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: krauṃca (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• nīla-skandhaiḥ: by blue-necked/blue-shouldered ones
• nīla-skandhaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nīla (प्रातिपदिक) + skandha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• śabditaiḥ: by the sounding/crying ones
• śabditaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/तृतीया)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śabdita (कृदन्त; √śabd शब्द्)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); Past Passive Participle (क्त) used adjectivally

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Satī

Role: nurturing

FAQs

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

The verse portrays a sanctified, sattva-filled landscape—beauty, harmony, and auspicious sound—reflecting how a sacred setting naturally supports devotion (bhakti) and inward steadiness for approaching Śiva, the Pati (Lord) who grants purity and liberation.

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

By emphasizing an auspicious, resonant environment, the text frames Saguna worship as supported by sacred ambiance—clean, pleasing sights and sounds that steady the mind for reverent approach to Śiva’s manifest presence (such as the Liṅga) and deepen devotional absorption.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to cultivate a calm, sattvic space for japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and dhyāna—preferably near water or in a quiet natural setting—so the mind becomes as harmonious as the described sacred grove.