Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 28

दधीच-शाप-हेतु-वर्णनम् / The Cause of Dadhīca’s Curse

Explaining Viṣṇu’s Role at Dakṣa’s Sacrifice

Devanagari script

तं देवममृतं रुद्रं कर्मणा तपसापि वा । स्वाध्यायेन च योगेन ध्यानेन च प्रजापते

Transliteration

taṃ devamamṛtaṃ rudraṃ karmaṇā tapasāpi vā | svādhyāyena ca yogena dhyānena ca prajāpate

Translation

ഹേ പ്രജാപതേ, ആ ദിവ്യ അമൃതസ്വരൂപനായ രുദ്രനെ കർമ്മത്തിലൂടെയോ തപസ്സിലൂടെയോ, സ്വാധ്യായം, യോഗം, ധ്യാനം എന്നിവയിലൂടെ ഉപാസിച്ച് സാക്ഷാത്കരിക്കണം.

Word by Word

• तम्: him
• तम्: कर्म (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• देवम्: the god
• देवम्: कर्म (Object; apposition to तम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd), एकवचन

• अमृतम्: immortal
• अमृतम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अमृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier of देवम्/रुद्रम्)

• रुद्रम्: Rudra
• रुद्रम्: कर्म (Object; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd), एकवचन

• कर्मणा: by action/ritual work
• कर्मणा: करण (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन

• तपसा: by austerity
• तपसा: करण (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd), एकवचन

• अपि: also
• अपि: सम्बन्ध (particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle)

• वा: or
• वा: समुच्चय/विकल्प (alternative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (disjunctive particle)

• स्वाध्यायेन: by self-study/recitation
• स्वाध्यायेन: करण (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वाध्याय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• योगेन: by yoga
• योगेन: करण (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd), एकवचन

• ध्यानेन: by meditation
• ध्यानेन: करण (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्यान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• प्रजापते: O Prajāpati
• प्रजापते: सम्बोधन (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रजापति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (8th), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Shiva (Rudra)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Rudra

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; it prescribes upāyas (means) to approach the deathless Rudra—karma, tapas, svādhyāya, yoga, dhyāna—framing soteriology rather than geography.

Significance: Defines ‘pilgrimage’ as disciplined approach (sādhana) culminating in Rudra-realization; emphasizes inner transformation as the true tīrtha.

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Rudra
• Prajapati

FAQs

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

It teaches that the immortal Lord Rudra can be attained through multiple Shaiva-approved disciplines—right action, austerity, scriptural recitation, yogic practice, and steady meditation—showing an integrated path toward liberation under Pati (Śiva).

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

These practices support Saguna worship—ritual action and mantra-recitation directed to Śiva (often in Liṅga form)—and culminate in dhyāna where the devotee internalizes the deity, moving from outer worship to inner realization.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Svādhyāya (repetition/recitation of Śiva mantras such as the Pañcākṣarī), combined with yogic discipline and dhyāna on Rudra; the verse also validates tapas and prescribed karmas (daily worship/rites) as supportive means.