Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 43

मेनावरलाभवर्णनम् — Description of Menā’s Attainment of Boons

and the worship leading to Umā’s advent

Devanagari script

अथ तस्मै स्वपतये शशंस सुवरं च तम् । स्वचिह्नबुद्धमिव वै सुवाचा पुनरुक्तया

Transliteration

atha tasmai svapataye śaśaṃsa suvaraṃ ca tam | svacihnabuddhamiva vai suvācā punaruktayā

Translation

随后，她向自己的主宰与夫君宣告那殊胜的恩赐；又以柔美之言再三重申，仿佛他已凭自身的圣相之印而了然于心。

Word by Word

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, आरम्भ/अनन्तर (sequence marker)

• तस्मै: to him
• तस्मै: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (सम्प्रदान/Dative), एकवचन

• स्वपतये: to (her) own husband
• स्वपतये: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वपति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• शशंस: praised / declared
• शशंस: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: शंस् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• सुवरम्: excellent boon
• सुवरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुवर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• तम्: him/that (one)
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• स्वचिह्नबुद्धम्: recognized by his own sign
• स्वचिह्नबुद्धम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्व + चिह्न + बुद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (स्वस्य चिह्नम् = own mark) + बुद्ध (known/recognized) used adjectivally

• इव: as if / like
• इव: Upamana (उपमान-सूचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा-अव्यय (particle of comparison)

• वै: indeed
• वै: Nipata (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक-अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• सुवाचा: with good speech
• सुवाचा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुवाच् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/Instrumental), एकवचन

• पुनरुक्तया: with repetition / again
• पुनरुक्तया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुनरुक्ता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (repetition/again-saying)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Parvatī–Śiva episode to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati

FAQs

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

It highlights how divine grace (Śiva as Pati) responds to sincere devotion: the boon is affirmed through reverent, repeated prayer, showing steadfast bhakti and clarity of intention.

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

The verse reflects Saguna worship—approaching Śiva as the personal Lord who hears, understands even subtle signs, and grants boons; this is the devotional posture also used in Liṅga-pūjā through prayer and supplication.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Repetition with devotion is implied—japa and prayerful reiteration (especially pañcākṣarī japa, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) offered in gentle speech and steady mind while seeking Śiva’s grace.