Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 6

दक्षस्य तपः तथा जगदम्बायाः प्रत्यक्षता — Dakṣa’s Austerities and the Direct Manifestation of Jagadambā

Devanagari script

दिव्यवर्षेण दक्षस्तु सहस्राणां त्रयं समाः । तपश्चचार नियतस्सं यतात्मा दृढव्रतः

Transliteration

divyavarṣeṇa dakṣastu sahasrāṇāṃ trayaṃ samāḥ | tapaścacāra niyatassaṃ yatātmā dṛḍhavrataḥ

Translation

Pagkaraan, nagsagawa si Dakṣa ng matinding tapa sa loob ng tatlong libong banal na taon, namumuhay sa mahigpit na disiplina—may pagpipigil-sa-sarili, nakatuon ang loob, at matatag sa kanyang panata.

Word by Word

• दिव्यवर्षेण: by a divine year (i.e., for a divine-year measure)
• दिव्यवर्षेण: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिव्य-वर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण) विभक्ति, एकवचन; instrumental singular; समासः—कर्मधारय (दिव्यं वर्षम्)

• दक्षः: Dakṣa
• दक्षः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; nominative singular

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: सम्बन्ध/वाक्य-सम्बन्ध (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात/समुच्चय-भेदक (particle; contrast/emphasis)

• सहस्राणाम्: of thousands
• सहस्राणाम्: सम्बन्ध (Ṣaṣṭhī/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सहस्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति, बहुवचन; genitive plural

• त्रयम्: three
• त्रयम्: कर्म (Karma/Object—measure)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया/प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; numeral adjective; here accusative singular agreeing with 'समाः' sense as measure

• समाः: years
• समाः: कर्म (Karma/Object—duration)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन; accusative plural (years)

• तपः: austerity/penance
• तपः: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; accusative singular

• चचार: performed/practised
• चचार: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चर् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (परोक्षभूत/Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; 3rd person singular perfect

• नियतः: disciplined/restrained
• नियतः: कर्ता-विशेषण (Kartā-viśeṣaṇa/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नियत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; nominative singular; qualifies 'दक्षः'

• संयतात्मा: one whose self is controlled
• संयतात्मा: कर्ता-विशेषण (Kartā-viśeṣaṇa/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सं-यत-आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; nominative singular; बहुव्रीहि—'संयतः आत्मा यस्य सः'

• दृढव्रतः: firm in vows
• दृढव्रतः: कर्ता-विशेषण (Kartā-viśeṣaṇa/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दृढ-व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; nominative singular; कर्मधारय—'दृढं व्रतम्'

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Satī

Role: teaching

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Divine-year timescale (divyavarṣa) indicating supra-human temporal frame

Characters & Entities

• Daksha

FAQs

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

The verse highlights that sustained tapas must be grounded in niyama (discipline), saṃyama (self-restraint), and dṛḍha-vrata (steadfast vow). In a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, such regulated austerity purifies the pashu (individual soul) of karmic impurities, making it fit for Shiva’s grace rather than mere worldly attainment.

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

Though the Linga is not named here, the narrative context of the Rudrasaṃhitā frames major events around approaching Shiva through devotion and purification. Daksha’s long, disciplined tapas reflects the preparatory path that culminates in worthy engagement with Saguna Shiva worship—ritual, mantra, and reverence—supported by inner restraint.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is disciplined vrata with mind-control: adopt a steady daily sadhana such as japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with regulated conduct (niyama). If observing Mahashivratri, keep a firm vow (dṛḍha-vrata) with purity, fasting as appropriate, and focused meditation rather than mere external display.