Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 58

त्रिपुरदीक्षाविधानम् — Tripura Dīkṣā: Prescriptive Procedure

Chapter on the Ordinance of Initiation

Devanagari script

इत्येवं तु वचः श्रुत्वा राजा मायामयोऽभवत् । उवाच वचनं शीघ्रं यतिं तं हि कृतांजलिः

Transliteration

ityevaṃ tu vacaḥ śrutvā rājā māyāmayo'bhavat | uvāca vacanaṃ śīghraṃ yatiṃ taṃ hi kṛtāṃjaliḥ

Translation

听罢那些话，国王内心为摩耶（māyā，迷惑之力）所搅动，神思恍惚。随即他合掌恭敬，迅速对那位苦行者开口。

Word by Word

• iti: thus
• iti: Vākyārtha-sūcaka (वाक्यार्थ-सूचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Quotative particle (iti-śabda)

• evam: in this way
• evam: Rīti-adhikaraṇa (रीति-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: Prakāra-avyaya (manner adverb)

• tu: but / indeed
• tu: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Avadhāraṇa/virodha-nipāta (particle: but/indeed)

• vacaḥ: words / speech
• vacaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), Dvitīyā vibhakti (Acc. 2nd), Ekavacana

• śrutvā: having heard
• śrutvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √śru (धातु)
• Form: Ktvā-pratyaya (absolutive/gerund), pūrvakāla-kriyā (prior action)

• rājā: the king
• rājā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (m.), Prathamā (Nom.), Ekavacana

• māyā-mayaḥ: full of illusion / deluded
• māyā-mayaḥ: Vidheyaviśeṣaṇa (विधेय-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: māyā (प्रातिपदिक) + maya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (tṛtīyā/ṣaṣṭhī sense: ‘māyayā mayaḥ’/‘māyā-maya’ = made of illusion); Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• abhavat: became
• abhavat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhū (धातु)
• Form: Laṅ-lakāra (Imperfect/Past), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ-lakāra (Perfect), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana

• vacanam: a statement
• vacanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), Dvitīyā (Acc.), Ekavacana

• śīghram: quickly
• śīghram: Rīti-adhikaraṇa (रीति-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: śīghra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa-avyaya (adverbial accusative)

• yatim: the ascetic
• yatim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (m.), Dvitīyā (Acc.), Ekavacana

• tam: him
• tam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma; Puṃliṅga (m.), Dvitīyā (Acc.), Ekavacana

• hi: indeed
• hi: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Avadhāraṇa/hetu-nipāta (particle: indeed/for)

• kṛta-añjaliḥ: with folded hands
• kṛta-añjaliḥ: Karta (कर्ता) (as apposition to rājā)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (कृदन्त, √kṛ) + añjali (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (karmadhāraya sense) ‘kṛto’ñjaliḥ’ = one who has made añjali; Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Characters & Entities

• the king
• the ascetic (yati)

FAQs

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

It highlights how a ruler, upon hearing a truth-bearing instruction, recognizes inner disturbance caused by māyā and responds with humility—an essential Shaiva Siddhānta step where the bound soul (paśu) turns toward clarity through reverence and right inquiry.

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

Though the Liṅga is not named here, the verse models the devotional posture (kṛtāñjali) and surrender that traditionally precede approaching Saguna Śiva through worship—moving from confusion (māyā) toward grace (anugraha) through respectful seeking.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The implied practice is añjali-mudrā with humble, attentive listening (śravaṇa) and prompt, sincere questioning—often paired in Shaiva practice with mantra-japa (e.g., Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to steady the mind against māyā.