Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 25

विष्णोः स्तुतिः—शिवसतीरक्षावचनम्

Viṣṇu’s Hymn and the Petition for Śiva–Satī’s Protection

Devanagari script

ततो धूमाकुले नेत्रे महेशः परमेश्वरः । हस्ताभ्यां छादयामास बहुलीलाकरः प्रभुः

Transliteration

tato dhūmākule netre maheśaḥ parameśvaraḥ | hastābhyāṃ chādayāmāsa bahulīlākaraḥ prabhuḥ

Translation

随后，当烟雾充满了大自在天摩诃伊湿伐罗——至上主——的双眼时，主以戏游之力(līlā)用双手轻覆其目；那位常行无量神圣妙戏的主宰便如此作为。

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/temporal)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तरवाचक-अव्यय (then)

• dhūma-ākule: in the two eyes filled with smoke
• dhūma-ākule: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/state)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dhūma (प्रातिपदिक) + ākula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (धूमेन आकुल), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, द्विवचन; विशेषण (of netre)

• netre: in (his) two eyes
• netre: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: netra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, द्विवचन

• maheśaḥ: Maheśa
• maheśaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maheśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• parameśvaraḥ: the Supreme Lord
• parameśvaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parameśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; उपपद-विशेषणरूपेण (appositional)

• hastābhyām: with (his) two hands
• hastābhyām: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hasta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, द्विवचन; करण (instrument)

• chādayāmāsa: covered
• chādayāmāsa: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √chād (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• bahu-līlā-karaḥ: performer of many playful acts
• bahu-līlā-karaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bahu (प्रातिपदिक) + līlā (प्रातिपदिक) + kara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (बह्वीः लीलाः करोति), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (of prabhuḥ/maheśaḥ)

• prabhuḥ: the Lord
• prabhuḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prabhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

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?

In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, the Lord’s act of covering His eyes hints at the mystery of veiling (tirodhāna) within līlā—how consciousness can appear obscured, and how grace later reveals the truth. The devotee learns that even apparent darkness or confusion is within Shiva’s sovereign play and ultimately leads toward clarity and liberation.

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

The verse presents Shiva as Saguna—personal, active, and compassionate—engaging in līlā. Linga-worship similarly approaches the transcendent (Nirguna) through a tangible focus, trusting that the same Supreme Lord who can veil can also reveal His presence through the Linga and mantra.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with meditation on inner “smoke” (restlessness, tamas) being calmed by Shiva’s grace. If used ritually, apply Tripuṇḍra bhasma and remember that obscuration is removed by steady devotion and mantra.