Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 3

गिरिजाया तपोऽनुज्ञा

Permission for Girijā’s Austerities

Devanagari script

प्रथमं पितरं गत्वा हिमवन्तं नगेश्वरम् । पर्यपृच्छत्सुप्रणम्य विनयेन समन्विता

Transliteration

prathamaṃ pitaraṃ gatvā himavantaṃ nageśvaram | paryapṛcchatsupraṇamya vinayena samanvitā

Translation

Trước hết nàng đến gặp phụ thân là Himavān, chúa tể núi non; rồi cung kính đảnh lễ, và với lễ độ khiêm nhu, nàng kính cẩn thưa hỏi người.

Word by Word

• prathamam: first
• prathamam: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: prathama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव (adverbial accusative: ‘first/at first’)

• pitaram: father
• pitaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pitṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• gatvā: having gone
• gatvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gam (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive): ‘having gone’

• himavantam: Himavān (Himalaya)
• himavantam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: himavant (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• nageśvaram: lord of mountains
• nageśvaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: naga + īśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (‘नगानाम् ईश्वरः’ = lord of mountains)

• paryapṛcchat: asked/inquired
• paryapṛcchat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari + pra + pṛcch (धातु)
• Form: लङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद; उपसर्ग-परि + प्र

• supraṇamya: having bowed respectfully
• supraṇamya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: su + pra + nam (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive), उपसर्ग-प्र + (उपसर्ग/उपपद) सु; ‘having bowed well’

• vinayena: with humility
• vinayena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vinaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• samanvitā: endowed (with)
• samanvitā: Kartṛ-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्ता-समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: samanvita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (endowed/possessed of)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Parvati

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Parvati
• Himavan

FAQs

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

It highlights vinaya (humility) and proper inquiry as the doorway to Shaiva wisdom—approaching elders with reverence prepares the seeker to receive guidance that ultimately leads toward devotion to Pati (Shiva) and liberation.

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

Though the verse is narrative, it models the inner attitude required for Saguna Shiva worship—reverence, surrender, and disciplined questioning—qualities that make Linga-puja fruitful and turn ritual into living bhakti.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The implied practice is praṇāma with vinaya before beginning worship or japa—bow first, then inquire/chant; this attitude supports steady Panchākṣarī japa ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and disciplined daily puja.