Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 25

मङ्गलपत्रिकाग्रहणम् — Reception of the Auspicious Marriage Invitation

Devanagari script

शम्भूपकण्ठमागत्य द्रुतं मुनिवरो भवान् । तद्दूत्यात्तत्र सन्तस्थौ तदाज्ञाम्प्राप्य नारद

Transliteration

śambhūpakaṇṭhamāgatya drutaṃ munivaro bhavān | taddūtyāttatra santasthau tadājñāmprāpya nārada

Translation

噢，纳罗陀，你这诸牟尼中最胜者，迅速来到商婆所钟爱的侍从帕坎塔处；奉其为使，得其命令后，便留驻于彼。

Word by Word

• शम्भूपकण्ठम्: to the vicinity of Śambhu
• शम्भूपकण्ठम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शम्भु-उपकण्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (near Śambhu)

• आगत्य: having come
• आगत्य: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-गम् (धातु)
• Form: ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (gerund), पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having come)

• द्रुतम्: quickly
• द्रुतम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: द्रुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् क्रियाविशेषण (adverbial accusative)

• मुनिवरः: the best of sages
• मुनिवरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि-वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समासः (excellent sage)

• भवान्: you (honored one)
• भवान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; आदरार्थक सर्वनाम

• तत्: from that
• तत्: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), पञ्चमी विभक्ति (Ablative/अपादान), एकवचन; ‘तत्’ इत्यस्य पञ्चमी (तस्मात्) अर्थे

• दूत्यात्: from (his) mission as messenger
• दूत्यात्: Hetu/Apādāna (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दूत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग-प्रयोगः (contextual), पञ्चमी विभक्ति, एकवचन; हेत्वर्थे (as cause/mission)

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक क्रियाविशेषण

• सन्तस्थौ: stood/remained
• सन्तस्थौ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-स्था (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• आज्ञाम्: command
• आज्ञाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्राप्य: having received
• प्राप्य: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-आप् (धातु)
• Form: ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (gerund), पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having obtained)

• नारद: O Nārada
• नारद: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नारद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), सम्बोधन विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga narrative; it highlights the chain of command and service around Śambhu in the Kailāsa court.

Significance: Emphasizes sevā and obedience as modes of approaching Pati: even exalted sages (Nārada) act as dutas within Śiva’s cosmic household.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Narada
• Shambhu

FAQs

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

The verse highlights śiva-ājñā (Śiva’s command) as a sacred directive: the devotee-sage advances spiritually by swift obedience, humility, and service performed as an instrument of Śiva’s will—core to Shaiva bhakti and Siddhānta discipline.

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

By portraying Śambhu as the personal Lord who issues compassionate instructions, the verse aligns with Saguna Śiva worship: devotees honor Śiva’s presence (often through the Liṅga) not only with offerings, but by living in accordance with His ājñā and dharma.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is ājñā-anusaraṇa with japa: receive a clear vow or instruction, then support it with steady Panchākṣarī japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and simple Śiva-sevā (e.g., Liṅga-archana, Tripuṇḍra/bhasma with remembrance), maintaining disciplined follow-through.