Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 27

Śivapūjā-stuti: Deva-Ṛṣi-Paramparāyāṃ Śaṃkara-caritasya Prastāvaḥ

Prelude to Śaṃkara’s narrative and the lineage of Śiva-worship

Devanagari script

भगीरथादयो भूपा बहवो नृपसत्तमाः । शिवपूजाकरा ज्ञेयाः शिववेषविधायिनः

Transliteration

bhagīrathādayo bhūpā bahavo nṛpasattamāḥ | śivapūjākarā jñeyāḥ śivaveṣavidhāyinaḥ

Translation

Si Bhagīratha at iba pang mga hari—marami sa kanila ang pinakamainam sa mga pinuno—ay dapat makilalang mga tapat na nagsasagawa ng pagsamba kay Śiva, sapagkat tinanggap nila ang mga panlabas na tanda at disiplina ng mga deboto ni Śiva.

Word by Word

• भगीरथादयः: Bhagīratha and others
• भगीरथादयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगीरथ + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); तत्पुरुष: ‘भगीरथः आदिः येषाम्’ (Bhagīratha and others)

• भूपाः: kings
• भूपाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• बहवः: many
• बहवः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• नृपसत्तमाः: best of kings
• नृपसत्तमाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप + सत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘नृपाणां सत्तमाः’

• शिवपूजाकराः: performers of Śiva worship
• शिवपूजाकराः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिव + पूजा + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); तत्पुरुष: ‘शिवस्य पूजां करोति’ (doer of Śiva-worship)

• ज्ञेयाः: to be known (as)
• ज्ञेयाः: Vidhi/Predicate (विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्ञा (धातु) + य (प्रत्यय)
• Form: कृदन्त (gerundive/भाव्य), प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural), पुंलिङ्ग; विधिलिङ्गार्थ: ‘should be known’

• शिववेषविधायिनः: adopters of Śiva’s dress/guise
• शिववेषविधायिनः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिव + वेष + विधायिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); तत्पुरुष: ‘शिवस्य वेषं विधत्ते’ (one who adopts Śiva’s attire)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a jyotirliṅga episode; it emphasizes ‘śiva-veṣa’—external marks/observances of Śaiva devotees—suggesting a social-religious identity of Śaiva kings and patrons.

Significance: Encourages adopting Śaiva observances (veṣa, vrata-like discipline) as a public commitment that supports inner devotion; also reflects historical patterns of royal patronage of Śaiva institutions.

Ritual Elements

Offering: dhupa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Bhagiratha

FAQs

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

It praises ideal rulers like Bhagīratha as exemplars of Śiva-bhakti, teaching that true nobility is shown by sustained Śiva-pūjā and the disciplined life of a devotee oriented to Pati (Śiva) rather than mere worldly power.

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

Śiva-pūjā in the Purāṇic context commonly centers on Saguna Śiva through the Śiva-liṅga; the verse highlights consistent worship and devotional observances (veṣa), which traditionally accompany liṅga-arcana and pilgrimage-oriented Kotirudra themes.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It points to regular Śiva-pūjā along with Śaiva devotee observances—such as wearing Tripuṇḍra (bhasma), using rudrākṣa, and maintaining mantra-japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) as a disciplined daily practice.