Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 6

विष्णूत्पत्तिवर्णनम्

Description of the Origin/Manifestation of Viṣṇu

Devanagari script

अदृष्टत्वादिरहितं शब्दस्पर्शसमुज्झितम् । अव्यक्तगंधरूपं च रसत्यक्तमदिङ्मुखम्

Transliteration

adṛṣṭatvādirahitaṃ śabdasparśasamujjhitam | avyaktagaṃdharūpaṃ ca rasatyaktamadiṅmukham

Translation

Оно было лишено видимости и прочих признаков, свободно от звука и осязания; запах и форма пребывали непроявленными, вкуса не было, не было ни сторон света, ни ликов — недифференцированное, непроявленное состояние (авьякта) до проявления.

Word by Word

• adṛṣṭatva-ādi-rahitam: devoid of (the state of) invisibility etc.
• adṛṣṭatva-ādi-rahitam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: adṛṣṭatva (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक) + rahita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative/Accusative (1st/2nd: प्रथमा/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुष: 'adṛṣṭatvādi-bhāvena rahitam' = devoid of invisibility etc.

• śabda-sparśa-samujjhitam: devoid of sound and touch
• śabda-sparśa-samujjhitam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śabda (प्रातिपदिक) + sparśa (प्रातिपदिक) + sam-ujjhita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative/Accusative (1st/2nd: प्रथमा/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); द्वन्द्व within: 'śabdaḥ ca sparśaḥ ca'; with PPP ujjhita (क्त) from √ujjh 'to abandon' with sam-: 'abandoned/void of sound and touch'

• avyakta-gandha-rūpam: having unmanifest smell-form
• avyakta-gandha-rūpam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: avyakta (प्रातिपदिक) + gandha (प्रातिपदिक) + rūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative/Accusative (1st/2nd: प्रथमा/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुष: 'avyaktaḥ gandhaḥ yasya rūpasya' / 'gandha-rūpaṃ avyaktam' (sense: smell-form unmanifest)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), conjunction (समुच्चय)

• rasa-tyaktam: devoid of taste
• rasa-tyaktam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rasa (प्रातिपदिक) + tyakta (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative/Accusative (1st/2nd: प्रथमा/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुष with PPP tyakta (क्त) from √tyaj: 'rasaṃ tyaktam' = having abandoned taste

• a-diṅ-mukham: without directions (no orientation)
• a-diṅ-mukham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: an (नञ्) + diś (प्रातिपदिक) + mukha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative/Accusative (1st/2nd: प्रथमा/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); नञ्-तत्पुरुष: 'diṅ-mukha' = having directions as faces; 'a-diṅ-mukha' = without directions/facings

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It describes the pre-manifest condition where sensory qualities (sound, touch, form, taste, smell) are not expressed—pointing the seeker toward Shiva as the transcendent Reality beyond sense-based cognition, which is essential for liberation in Shaiva Siddhanta.

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

The Linga symbolizes the formless, attribute-transcending Shiva (nirguṇa) while also serving as a sacred focus in the manifest realm (saguṇa). This verse highlights the nirguṇa side—Shiva beyond sensory attributes—toward which Linga-worship ultimately directs the mind.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditate with Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) while withdrawing attention from sensory impressions (pratyāhāra), using Linga-dhyāna as a support to contemplate Shiva as beyond sound, touch, form, taste, and smell.