Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 20

रुद्ररथ-निर्माणवर्णनम् / Description of Rudra’s Divine Chariot Construction

Devanagari script

गंगाद्यास्सरित श्रेष्ठाः सर्वाभरणभूषिताः । चामरासक्तहस्ताग्रास्सर्वास्त्रीरूपशोभिताः

Transliteration

gaṃgādyāssarita śreṣṭhāḥ sarvābharaṇabhūṣitāḥ | cāmarāsaktahastāgrāssarvāstrīrūpaśobhitāḥ

Translation

诸最胜河流——以恒河为首——悉皆现前，佩戴一切庄严。其手执牦牛尾拂（cāmara），并皆以妙丽女身而光辉。

Word by Word

• गङ्गा-आद्याः: beginning with Gaṅgā
• गङ्गा-आद्याः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गङ्गा (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (गङ्गा आदिः यासाम्)

• सरितः: rivers
• सरितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सरित् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• श्रेष्ठाः: excellent/best
• श्रेष्ठाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रेष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• सर्व-आभरण-भूषिताः: adorned with all ornaments
• सर्व-आभरण-भूषिताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + आभरण (प्रातिपदिक) + भूषित (कृदन्त; √भूष् (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; तत्पुरुषसमासः (सर्वैः आभरणैः भूषिताः)

• चामर-आसक्त-हस्त-अग्राः: with hands holding yak-tail fans
• चामर-आसक्त-हस्त-अग्राः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चामर (प्रातिपदिक) + आसक्त (कृदन्त; √सञ्ज्/√सक्त् (धातु) + क्त) + हस्त (प्रातिपदिक) + अग्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषसमासः (चामरे आसक्तं हस्ताग्रं यासाम्)

• सर्वाः: all
• सर्वाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• स्त्री-रूप-शोभिताः: beautified with the form of women
• स्त्री-रूप-शोभिताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक) + रूप (प्रातिपदिक) + शोभित (कृदन्त; √शुभ्/√शोभ् (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; तत्पुरुषसमासः (स्त्रीरूपेण शोभिताः)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Gaurī

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Gaṅgā

FAQs

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

It portrays sacred rivers as conscious, reverent presences—symbols of purity and grace—serving the divine order. In Shaiva understanding, such personification highlights how all tattvas of the world can become instruments of devotion when aligned to Shiva’s will.

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

The rivers taking beautiful forms and offering service reflects Saguna devotion—where devotees approach Shiva through tangible symbols (like Gaṅgā, sacred waters, and royal service). In Linga worship, water offerings (abhiṣeka) echo this same principle of reverent service.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is śiva-abhiṣeka with pure water (ideally Gaṅgā-jala where available) performed with bhakti and mental reverence, remembering that purification is not only external but an offering of one’s will and attention to Shiva.