Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 40

दाक्षयज्ञप्रस्थान-प्रश्नः

Satī Inquires about the Departure for Dakṣa’s Sacrifice

Devanagari script

गणाः षष्टिसहस्राणि रौद्रा जग्मुश्शिवाज्ञया । कुतूहलयुताः प्रीता महोत्सवसमन्विताः

Transliteration

gaṇāḥ ṣaṣṭisahasrāṇi raudrā jagmuśśivājñayā | kutūhalayutāḥ prītā mahotsavasamanvitāḥ

Translation

ਸ਼ਿਵ ਦੀ ਆਗਿਆ ਨਾਲ ਸੱਠ ਹਜ਼ਾਰ ਰੌਦ੍ਰ ਗਣ ਤੁਰ ਪਏ। ਕੌਤੂਹਲ ਨਾਲ ਭਰੇ, ਪ੍ਰਸੰਨ, ਮਹੋਤਸਵ ਦੇ ਭਾਗੀਦਾਰ ਬਣ ਕੇ ਉਹ ਅੱਗੇ ਵਧੇ।

Word by Word

• गणाः: troops, attendants
• गणाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• षष्टिसहस्राणि: sixty thousand
• षष्टिसहस्राणि: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: षष्टि + सहस्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; संख्यासमासः (द्विगु) — ‘sixty-thousands’ (= sixty thousand)

• रौद्राः: fierce, Rudra-like
• रौद्राः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रौद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (गणाः)

• जग्मुः: went
• जग्मुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• शिवाज्ञया: by Śiva’s command
• शिवाज्ञया: Hetu/Karana (हेतु/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव + आज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; समासः—शिवस्य आज्ञा (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• कुतूहलयुताः: endowed with curiosity
• कुतूहलयुताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुतूहल + युत (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-आधारित)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषणम्; समासः—कुतूहलेन युताः (तृतीया-तत्पुरुष)

• प्रीताः: pleased
• प्रीताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रीत (प्रातिपदिक; √प्री कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषणम्

• महोत्सवसमन्विताः: accompanied by a great festival
• महोत्सवसमन्विताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा + उत्सव + समन्वित (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-आधारित)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषणम्; समासः—महोत्सवेन समन्विताः (तृतीया-तत्पुरुष)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Rudra

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not tied to a Jyotirliṅga; it highlights Śiva’s ājñā (command) organizing the cosmic-retinue (gaṇas) for a divine festival.

Significance: Emphasizes śaraṇāgati to Śiva’s command and the ideal of serving in the Lord’s retinue; inspires devotees to participate in utsavas and temple processions as sacred duty.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Rudra-gaṇas

FAQs

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

It highlights Śiva as the supreme Lord (Pati) whose will harmonizes even mighty forces; the gaṇas’ joyful obedience models disciplined devotion where power is sanctified by divine command.

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

The verse emphasizes Saguna Śiva as the personal Lord who commands and guides; such lordship is central to Linga worship, where devotees approach Śiva as the accessible, directive, grace-giving Presence.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Adopt an “utsava-bhāva” in worship—serve with gladness and reverence; practically, chant the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with disciplined obedience to dharma, as if following Śiva’s ājñā.