Shloka 47

पिप्पलादावतारकथनम्

Account of the Pippalāda Avatāra

Devanagari script

साक्षाद्रुद्रावतारोऽसौ दधीच वरतेजसः । प्रादुर्भूतस्स्वयन्तात स्वलीलाकरणे क्षमः

Transliteration

sākṣādrudrāvatāro'sau dadhīca varatejasaḥ | prādurbhūtassvayantāta svalīlākaraṇe kṣamaḥ

Translation

เขานั้นเป็นอวตารแห่งรุทระโดยตรง—ทธีจิผู้มีเดชอันประเสริฐ ปรากฏขึ้นด้วยตนเอง และสามารถกระทำลีลาทิพย์ของพระผู้เป็นเจ้าได้อย่างสมบูรณ์.

Word by Word

• साक्षात्: directly, manifestly
• साक्षात्: विशेषण (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: साक्षात् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• रुद्र-अवतारः: incarnation of Rudra
• रुद्र-अवतारः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुद्र (प्रातिपदिक) + अवतार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st/Nominative); एकवचन (Singular)

• असौ: that (he)
• असौ: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असद्/अदस् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st/Nominative); एकवचन

• दधीचः: Dadhīca
• दधीचः: सम्बन्ध/अप्पोज़िशन (Apposition to subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दधीचि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st/Nominative); एकवचन

• वर-तेजसः: of excellent splendor
• वर-तेजसः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक) + तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (तेजस्); षष्ठी (6th/Genitive); एकवचन; विशेषण-प्रयोग (qualifying)

• प्रादुः-भूतः: manifested, appeared
• प्रादुः-भूतः: कर्ता-विशेषण (Predicate/subject complement)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु) + प्रादुः (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
• Form: कृदन्त; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle); पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचन; अर्थः ‘प्रकटितः/उत्पन्नः’

• स्वयम्: by himself
• स्वयम्: विशेषण (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वयम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• तात: O dear/father (vocative)
• तात: सम्बोधन (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तात (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative); एकवचन

• स्व-लीला-करणे: in performing his own play
• स्व-लीला-करणे: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + लीला (प्रातिपदिक) + करण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; सप्तमी (7th/Locative); एकवचन; अधिकरण (locus)

• क्षमः: capable, competent
• क्षमः: कर्ता-विशेषण (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्षम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying the subject)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s incarnational glory to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Rudra

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: avatāra-prādurbhāva (self-willed manifestation)

Characters & Entities

• Rudra
• Shiva
• Dadhichi

FAQs

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

The verse affirms that certain exalted beings manifest as direct Rudra-incarnations, revealing Śiva’s compassionate presence in the world; recognizing such manifestations strengthens bhakti and supports liberation-oriented understanding (Pati guiding the pashu).

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

Calling Dadhīca a Rudra-avatāra highlights Saguna Śiva—Śiva approachable through forms, deeds, and līlā. Such remembrance complements Liṅga-worship by focusing the mind on Śiva’s living, grace-giving presence expressed through manifestations.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is līlā-smaraṇa (contemplative remembrance) of Rudra’s manifestations alongside japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” offered with simple Śiva-pūjā (e.g., bilva leaves and reverent recitation).