Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 16

विष्णोर्दर्शनं स्तुतिश्च

Viṣṇu’s Manifestation and Brahmā’s Hymn

Devanagari script

रुद्रसंमोहनार्थं हि कामं प्रेषितवानहम् । परिवारयुतं विष्णो समारमधुबांधवम्

Transliteration

rudrasaṃmohanārthaṃ hi kāmaṃ preṣitavānaham | parivārayutaṃ viṣṇo samāramadhubāṃdhavam

Translation

ରୁଦ୍ରଙ୍କୁ ସମ୍ମୋହିତ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ମୁଁ କାମଦେବଙ୍କୁ ପଠାଇଥିଲି। ହେ ବିଷ୍ଣୁ, ମଧୁବାନ୍ଧବ! ସେ ପରିବାର ସହିତ ଓ ସହଚରୀ ସହିତ ପ୍ରସ୍ଥାନ କଲା।

Word by Word

• rudrasaṃmohanārtham: for Rudra’s delusion (as purpose)
• rudrasaṃmohanārtham: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rudra + saṃmohana + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; चतुर्थी/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष-भावः—‘for the purpose of deluding Rudra’ (rudrasya saṃmohanārtham)

• hi: indeed/for
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle) = ‘indeed/for’

• kāmam: Kāma (god of love)
• kāmam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• preṣitavān: sent
• preṣitavān: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√iṣ (धातु)
• Form: क्तवतु-प्रत्ययान्त (past active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘having sent’

• aham: I
• aham: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• parivārayutam: accompanied by attendants
• parivārayutam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parivāra + yuta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम्; तृतीया-तत्पुरुषः (parivāreṇa yutaḥ) ‘accompanied by retinue’

• viṣṇo: O Viṣṇu
• viṣṇo: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• samāramadhubāndhavam: (one) allied with Māra and Madhu / kinsman of Madhu with Māra
• samāramadhubāndhavam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sa + māra + madhu + bāndhava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः; अर्थः—‘friend/kinsman of Madhu together with Māra (Kāma)’ / ‘having Māra and Madhu as allies/kinsmen’ (epithet; context-dependent)

Speaker

Brahmā (narrating within the Satī episode; framed by Sūta’s narration to the sages)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Rudra

Characters & Entities

• Rudra (Shiva)
• Vishnu
• Kama

FAQs

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

The verse highlights that even cosmic powers attempt to stir desire and delusion, yet Rudra remains the supreme master of the senses; it teaches that liberation comes by transcending kāma through devotion and inner restraint aligned to Śiva.

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

It underscores Saguna Śiva as the accessible Lord who is nevertheless untouched by desire; Linga-worship trains the devotee to move from fascination with sense-objects toward steadfast contemplation of Śiva’s presence beyond moha.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with disciplined sense-restraint, supported by Śiva-pūjā (optionally with bhasma/Tripuṇḍra) to weaken kāma and stabilize meditation.