Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 66

नारदस्य विष्णूपदेशवर्णनम् — Nārada and Viṣṇu: Instruction after Delusion

Devanagari script

सवार्ङ्गेषु प्रयत्नेन रुद्राक्षाञ्छिववल्लभान् । धारयस्वातिसद्भक्त्या समन्त्रम्विधिपूर्वकम्

Transliteration

savārṅgeṣu prayatnena rudrākṣāñchivavallabhān | dhārayasvātisadbhaktyā samantramvidhipūrvakam

Translation

จงพยายามอย่างรอบคอบสวมรุดรाक्षะอันเป็นที่รักของพระศิวะไว้ทั่วทุกส่วนของกาย ด้วยภักติอันบริสุทธิ์ยิ่ง พร้อมด้วยมนตร์ และตามพิธีกรรมที่กำหนด

Word by Word

• सर्वाङ्गेषु: on all limbs
• सर्वाङ्गेषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + अङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (सर्वेषु अङ्गेषु)

• प्रयत्नेन: with effort
• प्रयत्नेन: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रयत्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• रुद्राक्षान्: rudrākṣa beads
• रुद्राक्षान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुद्राक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• शिववल्लभान्: dear to Śiva
• शिववल्लभान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक) + वल्लभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (शिवस्य वल्लभाः)

• धारयस्व: wear/hold (you)
• धारयस्व: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धृ (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• अति: very
• अति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/intensifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अति (अव्यय)
• Form: उपसर्ग/अव्यय (intensifier: very)

• सद्भक्त्या: with true devotion
• सद्भक्त्या: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सद् (प्रातिपदिक) + भक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (सती भक्ति: true devotion)

• समन्त्रम्: together with (the) mantra
• समन्त्रम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; अव्ययीभावः (मन्त्रेण सह/सहितम्)

• विधिपूर्वकम्: according to proper procedure
• विधिपूर्वकम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विधि (प्रातिपदिक) + पूर्वक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-प्रयोगः; क्रियाविशेषण (adverbial): विधिना पूर्वकं = according to rule

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Rudrākṣa-dhāraṇa is presented as a limb of Śiva-bhakti that purifies the bound soul (paśu) and supports eligibility for higher worship and grace (anugraha).

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Rudraksha

FAQs

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

The verse presents Rudrākṣa-dhāraṇa as an outer support for inner Shaiva bhakti—devotion disciplined by mantra and right conduct—helping the devotee stay oriented to Pati (Śiva) and progress toward purity and liberation.

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

Rudrākṣa is described as Śiva’s beloved, so wearing it becomes a sign of alignment with Saguna Śiva worship—supporting daily pūjā, japa, and reverence to the Liṅga through constant remembrance and devotional identity.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Wear Rudrākṣa on the body with sincere devotion, while reciting an appropriate Shiva-mantra (commonly the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and follow the traditional vidhi rather than treating it as mere ornament.