Shloka 23

Śiva–Hari–Rudra–Vidhīnāṃ Tattva-nirṇayaḥ

Identity of Śiva, Viṣṇu, Rudra, and Brahmā; Nirguṇa–Saguṇa Reconciliation

Devanagari script

ईशानः सर्वविद्यानां श्रुतिरेषा सनातनी । वेदकर्ता वेदपतिस्तस्माच्छंभुरुदाहृतः

Transliteration

īśānaḥ sarvavidyānāṃ śrutireṣā sanātanī | vedakartā vedapatistasmācchaṃbhurudāhṛtaḥ

Translation

Īśāna ialah Tuhan bagi segala cabang ilmu; Śruti yang kekal ini menyatakannya. Dialah pembuat Veda dan penguasa Veda; maka kerana itu Dia dipuji sebagai Śambhu, Yang Maha Baik lagi membawa keberkatan.

Word by Word

• ईशानः: Īśāna (Lord)
• ईशानः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ईशान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन — subject

• सर्वविद्यानाम्: of all sciences/knowledges
• सर्वविद्यानाम्: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + विद्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive determinative) ‘of all + knowledges’; स्त्रीलिङ्ग (विद्या), षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन

• श्रुतिः: Śruti (revelation)
• श्रुतिः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रुति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन — subject/apposition

• एषा: this
• एषा: विशेषण/निर्देशक (Deictic qualifier)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन — demonstrative

• सनातनी: eternal
• सनातनी: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सनातनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन — adjective of ‘श्रुतिः’

• वेदकर्ता: maker of the Veda
• वेदकर्ता: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद + कर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष ‘of the Veda + maker’; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन — epithet

• वेदपतिः: lord of the Veda
• वेदपतिः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद + पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष ‘of the Veda + lord’; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन — epithet

• तस्मात्: therefore/from that
• तस्मात्: अपादान/हेतु (Ablative/Reason)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तस्मात्-इत्यव्ययीभूत-तृतीया/पञ्चमी-रूपेण (ablative sense); हेतु/निष्कर्ष (therefore/from that)

• शम्भुः: Śambhu
• शम्भुः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शम्भु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन — subject (name)

• उदाहृतः: is called/has been declared
• उदाहृतः: कर्मणि-भाव (Passive predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-हृ (धातु) → उदाहृत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, क्त/PPP)
• Form: कृदन्त (past passive participle, क्त); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन — predicate with ‘शम्भुः’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Īśāna

Mantra Metadata

Type: rudram

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Ishana/Shambhu)
• Vedas (Shruti)

FAQs

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

It establishes Shiva (Īśāna) as Pati—the supreme Lord and source of sacred knowledge—affirming that all revelation (Śruti) and liberating wisdom ultimately arise from Him, who bestows auspiciousness as Śambhu.

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

By calling Shiva the Vedapati and Veda-maker, the verse supports Saguna worship—approaching the transcendent Lord through sacred forms like the Shiva Linga, where Vedic mantras and Śaiva rites become effective because they culminate in Shiva.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is Vedic-Śaiva japa and recitation: worship Shiva as Vedapati through Panchakshara japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and attentive listening/recitation of Śruti-like hymns, cultivating knowledge that leads to auspiciousness (śambhutva).