Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 37

दाक्षयज्ञप्रस्थान-प्रश्नः

Satī Inquires about the Departure for Dakṣa’s Sacrifice

Devanagari script

एतं नंदिनमारुह्य वृषभं सज्जमादरात् । महाराजोपचाराणि कृत्वा बहुगुणान्विता

Transliteration

etaṃ naṃdinamāruhya vṛṣabhaṃ sajjamādarāt | mahārājopacārāṇi kṛtvā bahuguṇānvitā

Translation

她怀着恭敬登上已备好的神牛难陀因（Nandin）；又受了如大王般应得的隆重礼敬，便继续前行，具足诸多高贵德行。

Word by Word

• एतम्: this (one)
• एतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (कर्म), एकवचनम्; demonstrative pronoun (this)

• नन्दिनम्: Nandin
• नन्दिनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नन्दिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• आरुह्य: having mounted
• आरुह्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-रुह् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive), ‘having mounted/ascended’

• वृषभम्: bull
• वृषभम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृषभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• सज्जम्: ready, prepared
• सज्जम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सज्ज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (qualifying वृषभम्)

• आदरात्: out of respect
• आदरात्: Hetu/Apādāna (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आदर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, पञ्चमी-विभक्तिः (अपादान), एकवचनम्; adverbial ablative ‘out of/with respect’

• महाराजोपचाराणि: royal honors/attendances
• महाराजोपचाराणि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाराज + उपचार (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (महाराजस्य उपचाराः)

• कृत्वा: having performed
• कृत्वा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive), ‘having done/performed’

• बहुगुणान्विता: endowed with many virtues
• बहुगुणान्विता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु + गुण + अन्वित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (सा/सती implied); उपपद-तत्पुरुषः ‘बहुभिः गुणैः अन्विता’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: No direct Jyotirliṅga linkage; Nandin as Śiva’s vāhana symbolizes dharma and the regulated movement of the soul under the Lord’s governance.

Significance: Nandin-darśana in Śiva temples is traditionally auspicious; this verse supports the motif of approaching sacred space with maryādā (reverent protocol) and inner virtues.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Satī

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Nandi

FAQs

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

The verse highlights reverent approach (ādara) and proper upacāra (honorific worship) as expressions of bhakti—outer dignity mirroring inner purity—while Nandin signifies steadfast dharma and devoted service to Pati (Śiva).

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

“Mahārāja-upacāra” reflects the Shaiva practice of honoring Śiva as the supreme Lord through formal offerings and respectful conduct; Nandi, Śiva’s attendant and vehicle, represents the accessible, saguna dimension of Śiva’s presence in ritual and temple worship.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests upacāra-bhakti: approach Śiva with disciplined reverence—offer simple honors (water, fragrance, lamps) while repeating the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” cultivating steadiness like Nandi (single-pointed devotion).