Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 10

संध्याचरित्रवर्णनम् (Sandhyā-caritra-varṇana) — “Account of Sandhyā’s Story”

Devanagari script

वव्रे पतिं महात्मानं वसिष्ठं शंसितव्रतम् । पतिव्रता च मुख्याऽभूद्वंद्या पूज्या त्वभीषणा

Transliteration

vavre patiṃ mahātmānaṃ vasiṣṭhaṃ śaṃsitavratam | pativratā ca mukhyā'bhūdvaṃdyā pūjyā tvabhīṣaṇā

Translation

彼女は、称えられる戒行で名高い大徳ヴァシシュタを夫として選んだ。最上のパティヴラター（貞節の妻）となり、礼拝と供養に値し、霊的威力において畏るべき存在となった。

Word by Word

• वव्रे: chose/accepted
• वव्रे: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद (वव्रे = chose/accepted)

• पतिम्: husband
• पतिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन

• महात्मानम्: great-souled
• महात्मानम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying पतिम्)

• वसिष्ठम्: Vasiṣṭha
• वसिष्ठम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वसिष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक; proper noun)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन; apposition to पतिम्

• शंसितव्रतम्: of praised vows
• शंसितव्रतम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शंसित + व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन; कर्मधारय (praised/commended vow) qualifying वसिष्ठम्/पतिम्

• पतिव्रता: a devoted wife (pativratā)
• पतिव्रता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पति + व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष (husband as vow; devoted wife)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• मुख्या: foremost
• मुख्या: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मुख्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying पतिव्रता)

• अभूत्: became
• अभूत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लुङ् (Aorist), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• वन्द्या: worthy of reverence
• वन्द्या: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वन्द्य (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √वन्द्)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; तव्यत्/यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (worthy of being praised) used adjectivally

• पूज्या: worthy of worship
• पूज्या: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पूज्य (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √पूज्)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (worthy of worship)

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: Sambandha (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/अवधारण-निपात (particle: but/indeed)

• अभीषणा: formidable/terrible
• अभीषणा: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभीषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying subject)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: The verse functions as dharma-mahātmyam: honoring the ideal gṛhastha pair (Vasiṣṭha–Arundhatī) is presented as spiritually strengthening, indirectly supporting śiva-bhakti through purity and steadiness.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha

FAQs

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

The verse praises disciplined vows (vrata) and steadfast devotion (pativratā-dharma) as sources of tejas—inner spiritual strength—making a person worthy of reverence through purity, restraint, and unwavering commitment to dharma.

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

In the Shaiva context of the Purana, praised vows and disciplined living are supportive limbs of Saguna Shiva worship—preparing the devotee’s mind for devotion, ritual steadiness, and reverent conduct that culminates in sincere worship of Shiva (including Linga worship).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The implied practice is vrata-based discipline—regular observances with purity and restraint—supported by daily Shiva-bhakti such as japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and simple, consistent worship performed with steadfastness.