Shloka 84

रुद्राक्ष-माहात्म्य

Rudrākṣa Māhātmya — The Greatness of Rudraksha

Devanagari script

रुद्रा क्षमालिनं दृष्ट्वा भूतप्रेतपिशाचकाः । डाकिनीशाकिनी चैव ये चान्ये द्रो हकारकाः

Transliteration

rudrā kṣamālinaṃ dṛṣṭvā bhūtapretapiśācakāḥ | ḍākinīśākinī caiva ye cānye dro hakārakāḥ

Translation

रुद्राक्षमालिनं रुद्रं दृष्ट्वा भूतप्रेतपिशाचकाः। डाकिनीशाकिन्यश्चैव ये चान्ये द्रोहकारकाः॥

Word by Word

• रुद्राक्ष-मालिनम्: one wearing a Rudrākṣa garland/rosary
• रुद्राक्ष-मालिनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रुद्राक्ष (प्रातिपदिक) + मालिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; ‘मालिन्’ = possessing a garland/rosary; रुद्राक्षमाला-युक्त

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive)

• भूत-प्रेत-पिशाचकाः: ghosts, departed spirits, and piśācas
• भूत-प्रेत-पिशाचकाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रेत (प्रातिपदिक) + पिशाचक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/कर्ता), बहुवचन; द्वन्द्वसमास

• डाकिनी-शाकिनी: ḍākinīs and śākinīs
• डाकिनी-शाकिनी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: डाकिनी (प्रातिपदिक) + शाकिनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन/बहुवचनार्थे; द्वन्द्वसमास

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Avadhāraṇa (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण (emphasis)

• ये: those who
• ये: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक (relative pronoun)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• अन्ये: others
• अन्ये: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• द्रोह-कारकाः: makers of harm/hostility
• द्रोह-कारकाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रोह (प्रातिपदिक) + कारक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘कारक’ = doer/maker

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Characters & Entities

• Rudra
• Bhutas
• Pretas
• Pishachas
• Dakinis
• Shakinis

FAQs

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

It portrays Rudra as Pati (the supreme Lord) whose very presence—especially when established in japa and sacred discipline—subdues fear, negativity, and obstructive forces, showing that devotion and Shiva-centered practice protects the seeker.

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

The verse highlights Saguna Shiva (Rudra) as the accessible, protective form of the Absolute: through visible symbols of worship like the mālā and through reverent devotion to Shiva/Linga, hostile influences and inner disturbances are pacified.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Japa with a Rudraksha mālā—especially the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namah Shivaya)—is implied as a Shaiva discipline that steadies the mind and wards off fear and harmful influences.