Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 21

सेवातत्त्वप्रश्नः — The Question of Whom to Serve (Sevā) for the Removal of Suffering

Devanagari script

भवभक्तिपरा ये च भवप्रणतचेतसः । भवसंस्मरणा ये च न ते दुःखस्यभाजनाः

Transliteration

bhavabhaktiparā ye ca bhavapraṇatacetasaḥ | bhavasaṃsmaraṇā ye ca na te duḥkhasyabhājanāḥ

Translation

ഭവൻ (ശ്രീശിവൻ) ഭക്തിയിൽ പരായണരായും ഭവചരണങ്ങളിൽ നമിച്ച ചിത്തമുള്ളവരായും നിത്യവും ഭവസ്മരണ ചെയ്യുന്നവരായും ഉള്ളവർ—ദുഃഖത്തിന്റെ പാത്രമാകുകയില്ല.

Word by Word

• भव-भक्ति-पराः: devoted to Bhava (Śiva)
• भव-भक्ति-पराः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भव + भक्ति + पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (भवे भक्तौ पराः)

• ये: who
• ये: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक सर्वनाम

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• भव-प्रणत-चेतसः: whose minds are bowed to Bhava
• भव-प्रणत-चेतसः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भव + प्रणत + चेतस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहि (भवे प्रणतं चेतो येषाम्)

• भव-संस्मरणाः: remembering Bhava
• भव-संस्मरणाः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भव + संस्मरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (भवस्य संस्मरणं येषाम्/भवे संस्मरणशीलाः)

• ये: who
• ये: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• न: not
• न: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय (negation particle)

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• दुःखस्य: of sorrow
• दुःखस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुःख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• भाजनाः: recipients, vessels
• भाजनाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Bhava-smaraṇa and bhakti are presented as the direct antidote to duḥkha; the verse frames Śiva as the refuge whose grace removes the soul’s sorrow rooted in bondage.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse teaches that steadfast bhakti (devotion), praṇati (inner surrender), and smaraṇa (continuous remembrance) of Lord Shiva transform the devotee’s inner state so that suffering no longer takes root as a defining condition of life.

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

Remembering Bhava is supported by Saguna worship—especially Shiva-linga pūjā—where the devotee anchors the mind in Shiva through offerings, mantra, and reverence, turning external worship into uninterrupted inner remembrance.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice Shiva-smaraṇa through daily japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) while applying bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) or wearing rudrākṣa, using these as reminders to keep the mind bowed to Shiva throughout the day.