Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 45

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

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

Devanagari script

ययातिः शिवपूजातः सर्वान्कामानवाप्तवान् । अजीजनत्सुतान्पंच शिवधर्मपरायणान्

Transliteration

yayātiḥ śivapūjātaḥ sarvānkāmānavāptavān | ajījanatsutānpaṃca śivadharmaparāyaṇān

Translation

Sa pagsamba kay Śiva, natamo ni Haring Yayāti ang lahat ng ninanais na biyaya; at nagkaanak siya ng limang anak na lalaki, pawang nakatuon sa dharma ni Śiva.

Word by Word

• ययातिः: Yayāti
• ययातिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ययाति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• शिव-पूजा-तः: from Śiva-worship
• शिव-पूजा-तः: Hetu/Apādāna (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक) + पूजा (प्रातिपदिक) + तस्/तः (प्रत्यय, Ablative ending)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (पूजा), पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (शिवस्य पूजा)

• सर्वान्: all
• सर्वान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; विशेषणम्

• कामान्: desires
• कामान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• अवाप्तवान्: obtained
• अवाप्तवान्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अवाप् (धातु) + क्तवत् (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: क्तवत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past active participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण—‘प्राप्तवान्’

• अजीजनत्: begot / caused to be born
• अजीजनत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जन् (धातु) (णिच् causative: जनयति)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; णिच्-प्रयोगः (causative)

• सुतान्: sons
• सुतान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• पञ्च: five
• पञ्च: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पञ्च (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्या-शब्दः; बहुवचनार्थे विशेषणम्

• शिव-धर्म-परायणान्: devoted to Śiva’s dharma
• शिव-धर्म-परायणान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक) + धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + परायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (शिवस्य धर्मः) + तत्पुरुषः (तस्मिन् परायणः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Highlights the twofold fruit of Śiva-worship: (1) kāmya-phala (desired boons) and (2) dhārmic continuity through progeny devoted to Śiva—framed as Śiva’s sustaining governance (sthiti) over worldly order.

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Yayati

FAQs

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

It teaches that Śiva’s grace responds to sincere worship: worldly aims may be fulfilled, but the higher fruit is the rise of Śiva-dharma—devotion and right conduct oriented to Pati (Lord Śiva), which purifies the soul (paśu) and loosens bondage (pāśa).

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

The verse highlights results gained through śivapūjā—typically performed to Saguna Śiva, often via Liṅga worship. In the Kotirudrasaṃhitā context (Jyotirliṅga-centered), it supports the idea that worship of Śiva’s manifest form becomes a channel for receiving His grace and blessings.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is regular Śiva-pūjā with mantra-japa—especially the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”)—along with simple offerings (water, bilva leaves) and a Śaiva way of life (śivadharma) grounded in purity, restraint, and devotion.