Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 28

दक्षयज्ञे सत्या अपमानबोधः — Satī Encounters Disrespect at Dakṣa’s Sacrifice

Devanagari script

विष्ण्वादयोखिला देवा मुनयो ये च तद्वचः । मौनीभूतास्तदाकर्ण्य भयव्याकुलमानसाः

Transliteration

viṣṇvādayokhilā devā munayo ye ca tadvacaḥ | maunībhūtāstadākarṇya bhayavyākulamānasāḥ

Translation

闻此言语，毗湿奴及诸天众神，并诸牟尼圣贤，皆默然无声——心神为恐惧所震，惶惶不安。

Word by Word

• viṣṇu-ādayaḥ: Viṣṇu and others
• viṣṇu-ādayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः: विष्णुः आदिः येषां ते (Viṣṇu and others)

• akhilāḥ: all
• akhilāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: akhila (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• devāḥ: gods
• devāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• munayaḥ: sages
• munayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• ye: who
• ye: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक सर्वनाम

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• tat-vacaḥ: that speech
• tat-vacaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + vacas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: तस्य वचः (her/that speech)

• maunī-bhūtāḥ: became silent
• maunī-bhūtāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: maunī (प्रातिपदिक) + bhūta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः: मौनी इव/मौनी भूत्वा (become silent)

• tadā: then
• tadā: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (time adverb): ‘then’

• ākarṇya: having heard
• ākarṇya: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√kṛ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund) from ā-√kṛ (to make to ear = hear): ‘having heard’

• bhaya-vyākula-mānasāḥ: with minds disturbed by fear
• bhaya-vyākula-mānasāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhaya (प्रातिपदिक) + vyākula (प्रातिपदिक) + mānasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः: भयेन व्याकुलं मानसं येषां ते (whose minds are agitated by fear)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Devas
• Munis

FAQs

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

It highlights the overwhelming authority of divine truth in the Śaiva narrative: even exalted devas and sages become silent when confronted with a fearsome, fate-shaping declaration, pointing the seeker toward humility and surrender before Pati (Śiva).

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

The verse depicts awe and reverent silence arising in the presence of Śiva’s will—an inner posture essential to liṅga-upāsanā and saguna-bhakti, where the devotee approaches Śiva with restraint of speech, mind, and ego.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Mauna (disciplined silence) and steadiness of mind are implied; as a practical takeaway, one may combine brief mauna with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and mindful application of bhasma (tripuṇḍra) to calm fear and focus devotion.