Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 6

गोत्र-प्रवर-प्रश्नः तथा तिथ्यादि-कीर्तनं

Gotra–Pravara Inquiry and Proclamation of Auspicious Time

Devanagari script

ततो हिमाचलः प्रीत्या शम्भुना प्रेरितो हृदा । सूती कृतः परेशेन विहसञ्शम्भुमब्रवीत्

Transliteration

tato himācalaḥ prītyā śambhunā prerito hṛdā | sūtī kṛtaḥ pareśena vihasañśambhumabravīt

Translation

随后，雪山王喜马偈罗（Himācala）满怀欢悦，内心受商婆（Śambhu）所感发；至上主便任命他为发言者。喜马偈罗含笑，对商婆启言。

Word by Word

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (sequence/from that: then)

• हिमाचलः: Himācala (the हिमालय)
• हिमाचलः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हिम (प्रातिपदिक) + अचल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (हिमः अचलः) — Masculine, Nominative singular

• प्रीत्या: with joy
• प्रीत्या: Karana (करणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रीति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Feminine, Instrumental singular (by/with joy)

• शम्भुना: by Śambhu
• शम्भुना: Kartr-karana (कर्तृ/करण-निर्देशः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शम्भु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Masculine, Instrumental singular

• प्रेरितः: impelled/urged
• प्रेरितः: Karta-anvaya (कर्तृ-विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र + ईर्/इर् (धातु) → प्रेरित (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — Past passive participle; Masculine, Nominative singular

• हृदा: in/with (his) heart
• हृदा: Karana (करणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हृद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (हृद्), तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Neuter, Instrumental singular

• सूती: a charioteer (sūtī)
• सूती: Karma/Result (कर्म-फल/परिणाम)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Feminine, Nominative singular

• कृतः: made/appointed
• कृतः: Karta-anvaya (कर्तृ-विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृ (धातु) → कृत (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — Past passive participle; Masculine, Nominative singular

• परेशेन: by the Supreme Lord
• परेशेन: Karana (करणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परेश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Masculine, Instrumental singular

• विहसन्: smiling/laughing
• विहसन्: Karta-anvaya (कर्तृ-विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि + हस् (धातु) → विहसन्त् (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (शतृ), पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — Present active participle; Masculine, Nominative singular

• शम्भुम्: Śambhu
• शम्भुम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शम्भु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Masculine, Accusative singular

• अब्रवीत्: said
• अब्रवीत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (अनद्यतनभूत), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद — Imperfect, 3rd singular, active

Speaker

Himācala (Himālaya), the mountain-king

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse frames a divine courtly setting where Śiva inwardly impels Himācala to act as spokesman, highlighting Śiva’s sovereign orchestration (īśvaratva).

Significance: Models the ideal of being an instrument of Śiva’s will (śiva-preraṇā), a devotional attitude valued in pilgrimage narratives though not tied here to a specific shrine.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse highlights Śiva as the inner impeller (antaryāmin): when the Supreme Lord inspires the heart, the devotee becomes a fit instrument for dharmic speech and service, showing grace as the source of right understanding.

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

Śambhu is approached as the personal Lord (Saguna Śiva) who actively guides devotees; Linga-worship similarly trains the mind to receive Śiva’s inner prompting through devotion, purity, and surrender.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Cultivate inner receptivity through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and quiet meditation on Śiva in the heart; this supports the state of being “impelled within” by Śambhu.