Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 33

कामविवाहवर्णनम् / Description of Kāma’s Marriage

Devanagari script

रराज चेतयासार्द्धं भिन्नश्चारुवचः स्मरः । जीमूत इव संध्यायां सौदामन्या मनोज्ञया

Transliteration

rarāja cetayāsārddhaṃ bhinnaścāruvacaḥ smaraḥ | jīmūta iva saṃdhyāyāṃ saudāmanyā manojñayā

Translation

Smara (Kāma), lời nói ngọt ngào, rực rỡ chiếu sáng cùng đoàn tùy tùng, mà vẫn nổi bật riêng biệt. Ngài như áng mây lúc hoàng hôn, thêm phần mỹ lệ bởi tia chớp duyên dáng.

Word by Word

• रराज: shone
• रराज: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: राज् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• चेतया: with Cetanā
• चेतया: सह/करण (Sahakāraka/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चेता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• सार्धम्: together (with)
• सार्धम्: सह (Association)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सार्धम् (अव्यय)
• Form: सहार्थक-अव्यय (adverb meaning ‘together with’)

• भिन्नः: distinct/separated
• भिन्नः: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भिद् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण स्मरस्य

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• चारुवचः: sweet-spoken
• चारुवचः: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चारुवचस् (प्रातिपदिक; चारु+वचस्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण स्मरस्य

• स्मरः: Smara (Kāma)
• स्मरः: कर्ता (Karta)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्मर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• जीमूतः: a cloud
• जीमूतः: उपमान (Standard of comparison)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जीमूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• इव: like
• इव: सम्बन्ध (Comparison marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमानवाचक-अव्यय (comparative particle)

• संध्यायाम्: at twilight
• संध्यायाम्: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संध्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• सौदामन्या: with lightning
• सौदामन्या: सह/करण (Sahakāraka/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सौदामनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• मनोज्ञया: charming
• मनोज्ञया: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनोज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; विशेषण सौदामन्याः

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

• Kama (Smara)

FAQs

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

The verse poetically highlights the seductive brilliance of kāma (desire): attractive, sweet-speaking, and mind-delighting—yet ultimately a distinct force that can bind the soul. In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, it points to kāma as a pasha (bond) that must be recognized and mastered on the path to Shiva-realization.

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

By portraying desire’s enchanting power, the text implicitly contrasts it with steadiness in Saguna Shiva worship—Linga-upāsanā, mantra-japa, and devotion that purify the mind. Turning awareness from the ‘lightning’ of fleeting attraction to Shiva’s abiding presence is a central Shaiva devotional discipline.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is sense-restraint supported by Shiva mantra-japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and steady meditation to prevent the mind from being carried away by alluring impressions.