Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 35

कैलासमार्गे शङ्करस्य परीक्षा — Śiva Tests the Approachers on the Kailāsa Path

Devanagari script

त्वद्ध्यानबलतो मेघाः सर्वे देवा मुनीश्वराः । स्वाधिकारं च कुर्वंति चकिता भवतो भयात्

Transliteration

tvaddhyānabalato meghāḥ sarve devā munīśvarāḥ | svādhikāraṃ ca kurvaṃti cakitā bhavato bhayāt

Translation

त्वद्ध्यानबलतः मेघाः सर्वे देवा मुनीश्वराः स्वाधिकारं कुर्वन्ति, भवतो भयात् चकिताः कम्पमानाः।

Word by Word

• त्वत्-ध्यान-बलतः: through the power of your meditation
• त्वत्-ध्यान-बलतः: Hetu (हेतु/कारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: त्वत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + ध्यान (प्रातिपदिक) + बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष-समास; तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययम् (from/through the power)

• मेघाः: clouds
• मेघाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मेघ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying देवाः/मुनीश्वराः)

• देवाः: gods
• देवाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• मुनीश्वराः: lords of sages (great sages)
• मुनीश्वराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (मुनीनाम् ईश्वराः = lords among sages); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• स्व-अधिकारम्: their own authority/office
• स्व-अधिकारम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + अधिकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः कर्मधारयः (स्वः अधिकारः = one’s own authority/office); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात

• कुर्वन्ति: perform/attend to
• कुर्वन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• चकिताः: frightened
• चकिताः: Kartṛ-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृ-समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चकित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; भावविशेषणम् (frightened/astonished)

• भवतः: of you
• भवतः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भवत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन (your/of you)

• भयात्: from fear
• भयात्: Hetu (हेतु/कारण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th), एकवचन (ablative: from/because of fear)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Shiva Purana account to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Rudra

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Cultivates ‘bhaya-bhakti’ (awe-based devotion): recognizing all adhikāras (offices) as contingent on Śiva’s sanction reduces ego and strengthens surrender (śaraṇāgati).

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Cosmic governance as niyati: devatās and ṛṣis perform svādhikāra under Śiva’s overriding sovereignty; ‘fear’ signals tirodhāna—limitation of autonomous agency.

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Munis
• Meghas (clouds)

FAQs

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

It teaches that all cosmic powers—nature, gods, and sages—operate under Shiva’s supreme Lordship (Pati). Meditation on Shiva reveals that their abilities are not independent; they function through His governance, inspiring reverent awe that supports dharma.

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

The verse points to Shiva as the sovereign source behind all functions; in Saguna worship, the Linga is honored as that visible focus of the all-governing Pati. Dhyāna on the Linga centers the mind on Shiva’s immanent rulership over the devas and the elements.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It emphasizes Shiva-dhyāna (meditation on the Lord). A practical takeaway is daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—with steady contemplation of Shiva as the inner ruler, optionally supported by vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa as Shaiva aids.