Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 24

देवस्तुतिवर्णनम् (Deva-stuti-varṇana) — “Description of the Gods’ Hymn/Praise”

Devanagari script

शिवस्सर्वगणायक्षस्सहसा परमेश्वरः । विचार्यतां हृदा सर्वैः कथं वश्यो भवेदिति

Transliteration

śivassarvagaṇāyakṣassahasā parameśvaraḥ | vicāryatāṃ hṛdā sarvaiḥ kathaṃ vaśyo bhavediti

Translation

至上主湿婆——率领一切侍从众（伽那）与夜叉——忽然降临。你们众人当在心中思量：以何种方法才能使他受制？

Word by Word

• śivaḥ: Śiva
• śivaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• sarva-gaṇa-yakṣaḥ: (he who is) of all gaṇas and yakṣas / lord over all gaṇas and yakṣas
• sarva-gaṇa-yakṣaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + gaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + yakṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (निर्धारण/विशेषणपूर्वक)

• sahasā: suddenly; forcefully
• sahasā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sahasā (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक-निबद्ध)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• parameśvaraḥ: the Supreme Lord
• parameśvaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक) + īśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (परमः ईश्वरः)

• vicāryatām: let it be considered
• vicāryatām: Vidhi (विधि/आज्ञा)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-car (चर् धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive/impersonal): ‘let it be considered’

• hṛdā: by the heart; in the mind
• hṛdā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hṛd (हृद् प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• sarvaiḥ: by all (of you/them)
• sarvaiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (समूहवाचक), तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• katham: how
• katham: Praśna (प्रश्न)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: katham (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रश्नार्थक क्रियाविशेषण (interrogative adverb)

• vaśyaḥ: submissive; controllable
• vaśyaḥ: Kartṛ-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृसमानाधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vaśya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विधेयविशेषण (predicate adjective)

• bhavet: might become; would be
• bhavet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (भू धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• iti: thus
• iti: Vākyānta-sūcaka (वाक्यान्तसूचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; इति-शब्दः (quotative particle)

Speaker

A leader among the opposing side in the Yuddhakhaṇḍa narrative (addressing his companions)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It highlights a key Shaiva teaching: Shiva (Pati), though appearing in a manifest (saguṇa) form with his attendants, is not truly “controllable” by ego, threat, or strategy—only approached through inner reflection, humility, and devotion.

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

The verse shows Shiva as personally present (saguṇa), yet beyond domination. In Liṅga worship, the devotee does not attempt to command the Divine; instead, one offers pūjā, mantra, and surrender so that grace (anugraha) arises.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

“Ponder in the heart” points to antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi and upāsanā—especially pañcākṣarī japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with bhakti, along with traditional Shaiva supports like vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa as aids to recollection and surrender.