Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 33

गोत्र-प्रवर-प्रश्नः तथा तिथ्यादि-कीर्तनं

Gotra–Pravara Inquiry and Proclamation of Auspicious Time

Devanagari script

महेश्वरस्य गांभीर्यं ज्ञात्वा सर्वे विचक्षणाः । सविस्मया महामोदान्विताः प्रोचुः परस्परम्

Transliteration

maheśvarasya gāṃbhīryaṃ jñātvā sarve vicakṣaṇāḥ | savismayā mahāmodānvitāḥ procuḥ parasparam

Translation

众人洞悉摩诃提婆的深邃与庄严，皆为明辨之士，满怀惊叹与大欢喜，便彼此低语交谈起来。

Word by Word

• महेश्वरस्य: of Maheśvara (Śiva)
• महेश्वरस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महेश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन

• गाम्भीर्यम्: gravity, profundity
• गाम्भीर्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गाम्भीर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• ज्ञात्वा: having understood
• ज्ञात्वा: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive), अव्ययभाव; पूर्वकालिकक्रिया (having known/understood)

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• विचक्षणाः: discerning, wise
• विचक्षणाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विचक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• स-विस्मयाः: astonished
• स-विस्मयाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (उपसर्गसदृश/अव्यय) + विस्मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—‘विस्मयेन सह’ (with astonishment)

• महामोद-अन्विताः: filled with great joy
• महामोद-अन्विताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महामोद (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्वित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √इ/अनु+√इ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तृतीया-तत्पुरुष/उपपदसमासार्थे—‘महामोदेन अन्विताः’ (endowed with great joy)

• प्रोचुः: said
• प्रोचुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• परस्परम्: to one another
• परस्परम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: परस्पर (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; परस्पर-क्रियाविशेषण (reciprocally/to one another)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It shows that when seekers truly perceive Mahādeva’s gambhīrya—His unshakable, all-knowing depth—the heart naturally moves from mere observation to reverent wonder and inner joy, strengthening bhakti and steadiness of mind.

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

The verse reflects the Saguna experience of Śiva: devotees encounter His majesty and profound presence and respond with awe. Such contemplation is central to Liṅga-worship, where the devotee meditates on Śiva’s immeasurable depth embodied in the sacred symbol.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is silent contemplation (dhyāna) on Śiva’s gambhīrya while repeating the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” allowing awe to settle into calm devotion.