Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 53

सतीकृतप्रार्थना तथा परतत्त्वजिज्ञासा — Satī’s Prayer and Inquiry into the Supreme Principle

Devanagari script

सुतस्त्रीधर्ममाहात्म्यं वर्णाश्रममनश्वरम् । वैद्यशास्त्रं तथा ज्योतिश्शास्त्रं जीवसुखावहम्

Transliteration

sutastrīdharmamāhātmyaṃ varṇāśramamanaśvaram | vaidyaśāstraṃ tathā jyotiśśāstraṃ jīvasukhāvaham

Translation

苏多说道：“（此圣典教示）为子之责与妇人之法（dharma）的伟大；恒常不坏的种姓与住期（varṇa、āśrama）之秩序；并且还有医药之学与占星（jyotiṣa）之学——使有身众生得安乐与幸福的诸学。”

Word by Word

• सुत-स्त्री-धर्म-माहात्म्यम्: the greatness of the duties of sons and women
• सुत-स्त्री-धर्म-माहात्म्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुत (प्रातिपदिक) + स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक) + धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + माहात्म्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (of son/wife duties)

• वर्ण-आश्रमम्: varṇa and āśrama (system)
• वर्ण-आश्रमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + आश्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (varṇa and āśrama as a pair)

• अनश्वरम्: imperishable
• अनश्वरम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

• वैद्य-शास्त्रम्: medical science
• वैद्य-शास्त्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैद्य (प्रातिपदिक) + शास्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष

• तथा: also/likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अनुक्रमबोधक (also/likewise)

• ज्योतिष्-शास्त्रम्: astronomical/astrological science
• ज्योतिष्-शास्त्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्योतिष् (प्रातिपदिक) + शास्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष

• जीव-सुख-आवहम्: bringing happiness to living beings
• जीव-सुख-आवहम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जीव (प्रातिपदिक) + सुख (प्रातिपदिक) + आवह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष; विशेषण (qualifier of śāstra)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

FAQs

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

It affirms that Shaiva spirituality is supported by dharma in daily life—right conduct (dharma), stable social-spiritual discipline (varṇa-āśrama), and welfare-oriented sciences—so the embodied soul can live harmoniously and turn steadily toward Shiva-bhakti and liberation.

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

By emphasizing duties and disciplines that sustain purity and order, the verse frames a life in which Saguna Shiva worship—such as Linga-pūjā with mantra and observances—can be performed regularly and sincerely, preparing the devotee for deeper realization.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

No single ritual is directly prescribed; the takeaway is to uphold one’s dharma and supportive disciplines so that daily Shiva practices—japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), Tripuṇḍra, and devotion—remain steady and beneficial.