Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 7

प्रयागे महत्समाजः — शिवदर्शनं दक्षागमनं च

The Great Assembly at Prayāga: Śiva’s Appearance and Dakṣa’s Arrival

Devanagari script

तस्थुश्शिवाज्ञया सर्वे यथास्थानं मुदान्विताः । प्रभुदर्शनसंतुष्टाः वर्णयन्तो निजं विधिम्

Transliteration

tasthuśśivājñayā sarve yathāsthānaṃ mudānvitāḥ | prabhudarśanasaṃtuṣṭāḥ varṇayanto nijaṃ vidhim

Translation

奉湿婆之命，他们众人各安其位，满怀欢喜。因得瞻仰主宰之圣容而心满意足，便彼此述说各自的职责与所定的奉事法度。

Word by Word

• tasthuḥ: stood/remained
• tasthuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sthā (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन (plural)

• śiva-ājñayā: by Shiva’s command
• śiva-ājñayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक) + ājñā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; ‘शिवस्य आज्ञा’ इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष; Instrumental: by Shiva’s command

• sarve: all
• sarve: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; pronoun/adjective used substantively: all (persons)

• yathā-sthānam: in their respective places
• yathā-sthānam: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय) + sthāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्ययम्; adverbial: according to (one’s) place

• mudā-anvitāḥ: accompanied by joy
• mudā-anvitāḥ: Kartṛ-viśeṣaṇa (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mudā (प्रातिपदिक) + anvita (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘मुदया अन्विताः’ इति तृतीया-तत्पुरुष; past participle used adjectivally: endowed with joy

• prabhu-darśana-saṃtuṣṭāḥ: satisfied by the Lord’s sight
• prabhu-darśana-saṃtuṣṭāḥ: Kartṛ-viśeṣaṇa (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prabhu (प्रातिपदिक) + darśana (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃtuṣṭa (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘प्रभोः दर्शनात् संतुष्टाः’ अर्थे; (determinative compound) satisfied by seeing the Lord

• varṇayantaḥ: describing
• varṇayantaḥ: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: varṇaya (धातु √varṇ) (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (शतृ/प्रत्ययः -ant), परस्मैपद; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; present active participle: describing

• nijam: their own
• nijam: Karma-viśeṣaṇa (कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nija (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; agrees with ‘vidhim’

• vidhim: procedure/rite
• vidhim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Īśāna

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that Śiva’s grace is experienced as darśana (vision) and inner joy, and that true bhakti expresses itself through orderly, humble adherence to one’s rightful dharma and service.

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

The verse emphasizes prabhu-darśana—direct encounter with the Lord (Saguna Śiva) that inspires devotees to align their conduct with Śiva’s ājñā (command), which is the heart of Linga worship: reverence, discipline, and dedicated service.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is disciplined seva and remembrance after darśana: maintain one’s assigned worship-method (vidhi), such as daily mantra-japa (e.g., Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and perform puja in an orderly, rule-based manner.