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

وہ سچ مچ رُدر کا اوتار تھا—برتر روحانی جلال والا ددھیچی۔ وہ خود بخود ظاہر ہوا اور ربّ کی لیلا انجام دینے پر پوری طرح قادر تھا۔

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).