Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 57

देवस्तुतिः (Devastuti) — Hymn/Praise of the Devas

Devanagari script

प्रत्यूचुः प्रस्तुतं दीनास्स्वार्थं स्वार्थविचक्षणाः । वासवाद्या नतस्कधाः कृताञ्जलि पुटा मुने

Transliteration

pratyūcuḥ prastutaṃ dīnāssvārthaṃ svārthavicakṣaṇāḥ | vāsavādyā nataskadhāḥ kṛtāñjali puṭā mune

Translation

于是，虽心怀忧惧却仍谋求自身安泰的帝释天因陀罗与诸天众——善于守护其所求之事——向牟尼答言，谦卑垂肩，合掌恭敬而祈请。

Word by Word

• प्रत्यूचुः: they replied
• प्रत्यूचुः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति-√वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/परोक्शभूत), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन (plural)

• प्रस्तुतम्: submitted; presented
• प्रस्तुतम्: Karma (कर्म) / Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र-√स्तु (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle); नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (nom/acc), एकवचन (singular)

• दीनाः: distressed
• दीनाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masc), प्रथमा (nominative), बहुवचन (plural)

• स्वार्थम्: their own purpose/interest
• स्वार्थम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वार्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive determinative): स्व (own) + अर्थ (purpose); पुंलिङ्ग (masc), द्वितीया (accusative), एकवचन (singular)

• स्वार्थ-विचक्षणाः: skilled in their own interest
• स्वार्थ-विचक्षणाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वार्थ + विचक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष: स्वार्थे विचक्षण (skilled in their own interest); पुंलिङ्ग (masc), प्रथमा (nominative), बहुवचन (plural)

• वासव-आद्याः: (the gods) beginning with Indra
• वासव-आद्याः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वासव + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष: वासवः आदिः येषाम् (beginning with Indra); पुंलिङ्ग (masc), प्रथमा (nominative), बहुवचन (plural)

• नत-स्कन्धाः: with bowed shoulders (in humility)
• नत-स्कन्धाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नत (√नम् + क्त, कृदन्त) + स्कन्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय: नताः स्कन्धाः येषाम् (with bowed shoulders/heads); पुंलिङ्ग (masc), प्रथमा (nominative), बहुवचन (plural)

• कृत-अञ्जलि-पुटाः: with hands joined in reverence
• कृत-अञ्जलि-पुटाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत (√कृ + क्त, कृदन्त) + अञ्जलि + पुट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष: कृतः अञ्जलि-पुटः येषाम् (having made the hollow of joined palms); पुंलिङ्ग (masc), प्रथमा (nominative), बहुवचन (plural)

• मुने: O sage
• मुने: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masc), सम्बोधन (vocative), एकवचन (singular)

Speaker

Devas (Indra and the other gods) speaking to a sage

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

• Indra
• Devas
• Sage (Muni)

FAQs

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

It highlights that even mighty devas must adopt humility (namaskāra, añjali) and seek higher guidance; in Shaiva thought, grace arises when ego yields and one turns toward the right refuge.

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

The posture of folded hands and bowed stance is the same devotional orientation used in Saguna Shiva worship—approaching the Lord (often through the Linga) with reverence, dependence, and sincere petition for protection and right order (dharma).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice añjali (folded hands) with inner surrender before japa or pūjā—especially with the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—cultivating humility as the mental offering that supports mantra and worship.