Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 44

शङ्खचूडदूतागमनम् — The Arrival of Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Envoy

and Praise of Śiva

Devanagari script

सर्वेश्वर्यास्सर्वमातुर्देवप्रार्थनया पुरा । आसीच्छुंभादिभिर्युद्धं वधस्तेषां तया कृतः

Transliteration

sarveśvaryāssarvamāturdevaprārthanayā purā | āsīcchuṃbhādibhiryuddhaṃ vadhasteṣāṃ tayā kṛtaḥ

Translation

ପୂର୍ବକାଳରେ ଦେବମାନଙ୍କ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନାରେ ସର୍ବେଶ୍ୱରୀ ସର୍ବମାତା ଶୁମ୍ଭାଦିଙ୍କ ସହ ଯୁଦ୍ଧରେ ପ୍ରବୃତ୍ତ ହେଲେ; ଏବଂ ସେଇ ତାଙ୍କର ବଧ କଲେ।

Word by Word

• सर्वेश्वर्याः: of the Supreme Goddess
• सर्वेश्वर्याः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्वेश्वरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• सर्वमातुः: of the Mother of all
• सर्वमातुः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्वमातृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (सर्वेषां माता)

• देवप्रार्थनया: by the gods’ supplication
• देवप्रार्थनया: Karana (करण/Instrument-cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव + प्रार्थना (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (देवानां प्रार्थना)

• पुरा: formerly
• पुरा: Kala (काल/Time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुरा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time: formerly)

• आसीत्: was
• आसीत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• शुंभादिभिः: by Śumbha and others
• शुंभादिभिः: Sahakari/Karana (सहकारी/करण—agentive instrument ‘by’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुंभ + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (शुंभः आदिः येषां ते)

• युद्धम्: battle
• युद्धम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—of ‘āsīt’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• वधः: slaying
• वधः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—of implied ‘abhavat’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• तेषाम्: of them
• तेषाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• तया: by her
• तया: Kartr-karana (कर्तृकरण/Agent-instrument ‘by her’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• कृतः: done/accomplished
• कृतः: Kriya (क्रिया—predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगे ‘made/done’

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse recalls the well-known Devī-māhātmya-style motif: devas, oppressed by asuras (Śumbha and allies), supplicate the Supreme Mother who manifests and destroys them.

Significance: Frames Devī as Śiva’s inseparable power who removes asuric bondage; supports śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) as a valid path to divine intervention.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Durgā

Role: destructive

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Devī (Sarveśvarī/Sarvamātā)
• Devas
• Śumbha

FAQs

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

It teaches that when the devas (limited powers) are overwhelmed, salvation arises through humble supplication and the descent of the Supreme Mother’s grace—Divine Śakti acting to restore dharma.

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

In Shaiva thought, Śiva is Pati (the Supreme Lord) and Śakti is His inseparable power; this verse highlights Saguna divine compassion manifesting in history—just as devotees approach the Śiva-liṅga to invoke accessible, grace-filled protection and guidance.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The key takeaway is prayerful surrender (śaraṇāgati) with mantra-japa—especially pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—supported by simple Shaiva observances like applying tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and steady devotion during संकट (times of distress).