Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 20

शिवतत्त्ववर्णनम् (Śiva-tattva-varṇana) — “Description/Exposition of the Principle of Śiva”

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मन्सृष्टिं कुरु त्वं हि मदाज्ञापरिपालकः । वत्स वत्स हरे त्वं च पालयैवं चराचरम्

Transliteration

brahmansṛṣṭiṃ kuru tvaṃ hi madājñāparipālakaḥ | vatsa vatsa hare tvaṃ ca pālayaivaṃ carācaram

Translation

“噢梵天啊，你当行创造之业，因为你是忠实奉行我命令者。你亦然，亲爱的诃利啊，当以此方式护持整个宇宙——一切动与不动的众生。”

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मन्: O Brahmā
• ब्रह्मन्: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, संबोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन

• सृष्टिम्: creation
• सृष्टिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सृष्टि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• कुरु: do
• कुरु: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), मध्यम-पुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• त्वम्: you
• त्वम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• हि: indeed
• हि: Nipata (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निश्चय/हेतु-बोधक (particle: indeed/for)

• मत्-आज्ञा-परिपालकः: one who obeys my command
• मत्-आज्ञा-परिपालकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + आज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक) + परिपालक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—मत् (मम) + आज्ञा (षष्ठी) + परिपालकः (तत्पुरुषः: ‘obedient to my command’)

• वत्स: dear child
• वत्स: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वत्स (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, संबोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन

• वत्स: O child
• वत्स: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वत्स (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, संबोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन; पुनरुक्ति (repetition for emphasis)

• हरे: O Hari (Viṣṇu)
• हरे: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, संबोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन

• त्वम्: you
• त्वम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय-बोधक (conjunction)

• पालय: protect/maintain
• पालय: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पाल् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), मध्यम-पुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकार-वाचक (adverb: thus/in this way)

• चर-अचरम्: the moving and the unmoving (all beings)
• चर-अचरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चर (प्रातिपदिक) + अचर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; समासः—चरः + अचरः (द्वन्द्वः; समाहार-द्वन्द्व)

Speaker

Lord Shiva (as the Supreme Pati commanding the cosmic functions)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not tied to a single Jyotirliṅga; it articulates the Śaiva cosmological governance where Brahmā and Viṣṇu function as adhikārins under Śiva’s command for sṛṣṭi and sthiti.

Significance: Doctrinal ‘tīrtha’ value: reinforces Śiva as Pati (supreme Lord) and frames other deities’ roles as delegated offices; contemplation strengthens śaraṇāgati and steadies bhakti.

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Delegation of cosmic functions at the outset of manifestation (sṛṣṭi) and maintenance (sthiti).

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma
• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It affirms Shiva as Pati (the Supreme Lord) who appoints Brahmā for creation and Hari (Viṣṇu) for protection, teaching that all cosmic functions operate under Shiva’s sovereign will and grace.

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

In Saguna worship, Shiva is adored as the personal Lord who governs creation and sustenance; the Liṅga symbolizes that supreme source from whom Brahmā and Viṣṇu derive their delegated powers.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is surrender (śaraṇāgati) through japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” offering bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and prayers to align one’s duties with Shiva’s command, as Brahmā and Viṣṇu do cosmically.