Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 7

काली-परिचयः / Himagiri Presents Kālī (Pārvatī) to Śiva

Devanagari script

समस्तलीलासंस्थानशुभवेषविजृम्भिकाम् । कम्बुग्रीवां विशालाक्षीं चारुकर्णयुगोज्ज्वलाम्

Transliteration

samastalīlāsaṃsthānaśubhaveṣavijṛmbhikām | kambugrīvāṃ viśālākṣīṃ cārukarṇayugojjvalām

Translation

她以妙丽之身而熠熠生辉，堪为诸般天界戏游之器——体态匀称，衣饰吉祥而光耀。其颈如法螺，双眸广大明净，秀美更因一对娟雅之耳而增辉。

Word by Word

• समस्तलीलासंस्थानशुभवेषविजृम्भिकाम्: displaying splendid attire and form in all her graceful gestures
• समस्तलीलासंस्थानशुभवेषविजृम्भिकाम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: समस्त + लीला + संस्थान + शुभ + वेष + विजृम्भिका (प्रातिपदिकानि; समास)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषसमासः: समस्तेषु लीलासंस्थानेषु शुभवेषेषु च विजृम्भिका (splendour/manifestation) यस्याः

• कम्बुग्रीवाम्: with a conch-like neck
• कम्बुग्रीवाम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कम्बु + ग्रीवा (प्रातिपदिके; समास)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; कर्मधारयसमासः: कम्बुसदृशी ग्रीवा यस्याः (conch-like neck)

• विशालाक्षीम्: large-eyed
• विशालाक्षीम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विशाल + अक्षि (प्रातिपदिके; समास)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; कर्मधारयसमासः: विशालानि अक्षीणि यस्याः (large-eyed)

• चारुकर्णयुगोज्ज्वलाम्: radiant with a lovely pair of ears
• चारुकर्णयुगोज्ज्वलाम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चारु + कर्ण + युग + उज्ज्वल (प्रातिपदिकानि; समास)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; तत्पुरुषसमासः: चारु कर्णयुगं येन उज्ज्वलं सा (bright with a beautiful pair of ears)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating the description within the Pārvatīkhaṇḍa context)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: teaching

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Parvati

FAQs

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

The verse presents the Goddess’s auspicious, radiant form as a sacred support for devotion—affirming that contemplating Shiva’s Śakti in her splendid, well-proportioned manifestation steadies the mind and nurtures bhakti toward the Pati (Shiva) through his inseparable power (Shakti).

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

In Shaiva practice, the Liṅga signifies Shiva beyond form, yet worship often proceeds through saguna supports—Shiva with Śakti. This description of Pārvatī’s divine beauty complements Liṅga worship by emphasizing the auspicious, perceivable dimension through which devotees approach the transcendent Lord.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is dhyāna (visual meditation): contemplate the auspicious, radiant form of Shiva-Śakti before japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and then offer simple upacāras (water, flowers, incense) with a purified, steady mind.