Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 43

Devanagari script

नग्नीकृत्य प्रतिदिनं बध्यते द्यूतकारिभिः । न तेन सदृशः कश्चिदाक्षिको भूमिमंडले

Transliteration

nagnīkṛtya pratidinaṃ badhyate dyūtakāribhiḥ | na tena sadṛśaḥ kaścidākṣiko bhūmimaṃḍale

Translation

“那嗜骰成癖者，被赌徒日日剥衣捆缚，受尽羞辱；遍满大地，无人能与他相比其苦难与堕落。”

Word by Word

• नग्नी-कृत्य: having stripped (him) naked
• नग्नी-कृत्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नग्नी (प्रातिपदिक) + कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive), ‘कृ’ धातोः; अर्थः—‘नग्नीं कृत्वा’ (having made naked)

• प्रति-दिनम्: every day
• प्रति-दिनम्: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रति (अव्यय) + दिन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्ययवत् प्रयोगः (indeclinable adverb)

• बध्यते: is bound / is tied up
• बध्यते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: बन्ध् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular); कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive)

• द्यूत-कारिभिः: by gamblers
• द्यूत-कारिभिः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्यूत (प्रातिपदिक) + कारिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), तृतीया (Instrumental), बहुवचन (plural); ‘द्यूतं करोति’ इति (one who plays gambling)

• न: not
• न: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-निपात (negative particle)

• तेन: by that; than that
• तेन: Upamāna/Hetu (हेतु/साधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (m/n), तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन (singular)

• सदृशः: similar, equal
• सदृशः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सदृश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन (singular)

• कश्चित्: anyone, someone
• कश्चित्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन (singular); अनिश्चितार्थक (indefinite)

• आक्षिकः: a dice-player, gambler
• आक्षिकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आक्षिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन (singular)

• भूमि-मण्डले: in the circle of the earth; in the world
• भूमि-मण्डले: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूमि (प्रातिपदिक) + मण्डल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), सप्तमी (Locative), एकवचन (singular)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating Shiva Purana teachings to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Bhairava

FAQs

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

It condemns gambling as a pasha (bondage) that strips a person of dignity and freedom, showing how adharma produces visible suffering and deeper karmic entanglement—contrary to the Shaiva path of purity, restraint, and liberation under Pati (Shiva).

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

Linga-worship represents steadiness, inner discipline, and turning the mind toward Shiva; this verse contrasts that stability with the instability of dice-play, urging the devotee to abandon degrading vices and approach Saguna Shiva with śuddhi (purity) and niyama (ethical restraint).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to take a vrata of restraint (avoiding gambling and intoxicating habits), and steady the mind through japa of the Panchākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” supported by daily Shiva-pūjā with bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and sincere repentance.