Shiva Purana — Satarudra Samhita, Shloka 13

शिवस्य पञ्चब्रह्मावतारवर्णनम्

Description of Shiva’s Pañcabrahma Avatāras

Devanagari script

ध्यायतः पुत्रकामस्य प्रादुर्भू तो विधेस्सुतः । रक्तमाल्याम्बरधरो रक्ताक्षो रक्तभूषणः

Transliteration

dhyāyataḥ putrakāmasya prādurbhū to vidhessutaḥ | raktamālyāmbaradharo raktākṣo raktabhūṣaṇaḥ

Translation

当他怀着求子的愿望入定观想时，造化之主（梵天 Brahmā）之子便在他面前显现——佩戴红色花鬘，身着红衣，双目微赤，并以红色饰物庄严。

Word by Word

• ध्यायतः: of (him) meditating / while meditating
• ध्यायतः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive absolute-like)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ध्यै (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; ‘(तस्य) ध्यायतः’ = while he was meditating

• पुत्रकामस्य: desiring a son
• पुत्रकामस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + काम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (‘पुत्रस्य कामः’ = desire for a son); विशेषणम् (ध्यायतः)

• प्रादुर्भूतः: manifested/appeared
• प्रादुर्भूतः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रादुस् (अव्यय) + भू (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; ‘प्रादुस्’ उपपद-योगः; कर्तरि प्रयोगः

• विधेः: of Vidhi (Brahmā)
• विधेः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; ‘विधि’ = ब्रह्मा

• सुतः: son
• सुतः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• रक्तमाल्याम्बरधरः: wearing red garlands and garments
• रक्तमाल्याम्बरधरः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रक्त (प्रातिपदिक) + माल्य (प्रातिपदिक) + अम्बर (प्रातिपदिक) + धृ (धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; (माल्य + अम्बर) इत्यत्र द्वन्द्वः, तदुपरि ‘रक्त’ इति विशेषण-पूर्वपद; ‘धृ’ धातोः ण्वुल्/अच्-प्रत्ययान्त ‘धर’ (धारक) कृदन्तः; विशेषणम्

• रक्ताक्षः: red-eyed
• रक्ताक्षः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रक्त (प्रातिपदिक) + अक्षि/अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समासः (‘रक्ते अक्षिणी/अक्षे यस्य’); विशेषणम्

• रक्तभूषणः: having red ornaments
• रक्तभूषणः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रक्त (प्रातिपदिक) + भूषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समासः; विशेषणम्

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: manifestation (prādurbhāva) in the Rakta-kalpa through dhyāna and putra-kāma

Characters & Entities

• Brahma

FAQs

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

It highlights that concentrated dhyāna backed by saṅkalpa (a focused intention) can draw a tangible divine response; in Shaiva reading, it underscores how grace (anugraha) becomes accessible when the mind is made one-pointed.

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

The verse presents a describable, attribute-bearing manifestation (saguṇa-style appearance). In Linga worship, such visualization supports devotion and steadies the mind, which ultimately leads the seeker toward the deeper, formless reality beyond attributes.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests steady meditation with clear intention; a practical takeaway is japa with dhyāna—such as repeating the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) while visualizing the auspicious form, maintaining purity of conduct and focus.