Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 24

अलकापतेः तपः-लिङ्गप्रतिष्ठा च वरप्राप्तिः / The Lord of Alakā: Austerity, Liṅga-Establishment, and the Receiving of a Boon

Devanagari script

वरान्ददामि ते वत्स तपसानेन तोषितः । निधीनामथ नाथस्त्वं गुह्यकानां भवेश्वरः

Transliteration

varāndadāmi te vatsa tapasānena toṣitaḥ | nidhīnāmatha nāthastvaṃ guhyakānāṃ bhaveśvaraḥ

Translation

“Hỡi con yêu, vì khổ hạnh (tapas) của con khiến ta hoan hỷ, ta ban cho con các ân phúc. Con sẽ là chúa tể các kho tàng, và là bậc tối thượng của các Guhyaka—những tùy tùng bí mật của Śiva.”

Word by Word

• वरान्: boons
• वरान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• ददामि: I give
• ददामि: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन

• ते: to you
• ते: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान/Recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन

• वत्स: dear child
• वत्स: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वत्स (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन

• तपसा: by austerity
• तपसा: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• अनेन: by this
• अनेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• तोषितः: pleased
• तोषितः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject, predicative)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुष् (धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कृदन्त: क्त (PPP) ‘pleased/satisfied’

• निधीनाम्: of treasures
• निधीनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Discourse marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तर/प्रारम्भार्थक अव्यय (then/now)

• नाथः: lord/master
• नाथः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject complement)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• त्वम्: you
• त्वम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: मध्यमपुरुष-सर्वनाम, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• गुह्यकानाम्: of the Guhyakas
• गुह्यकानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुह्यक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• भव-ईश्वरः: Bhaveśvara (lord of Bhava)
• भव-ईश्वरः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject complement)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भव (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘भवस्य ईश्वरः’ (lord of Bhava/Śiva)

Speaker

Lord Shiva (Bhaveśvara)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Guhyakas
• Nidhis

FAQs

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

The verse highlights a core Shaiva principle: sincere tapas (disciplined austerity) offered with devotion draws Shiva’s grace, which can manifest as both worldly stewardship (treasures, authority) and a higher alignment with Shiva’s divine order.

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

The boon is spoken by Saguna Shiva—Shiva who responds personally to devotion. In Linga-worship traditions, this reflects the same theology: the devotee approaches Shiva through worship and discipline, and Shiva bestows appropriate fruits according to dharma and spiritual maturity.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is steadfast tapas supported by Shaiva sādhanā—regular japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), worship with bhasma/Tripuṇḍra, and disciplined vows—undertaken for Shiva’s pleasure rather than mere gain.