Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 40

राहोः शिरच्छेदन-कारणकथनम् / The Account of Rāhu’s Beheading

Cause and Background

Devanagari script

अथ शुंभनिशुंभाद्यै बलाधिपतिकोटिभिः । निर्जगाम महावीरः सिन्धुपुत्रः प्रतापवान्

Transliteration

atha śuṃbhaniśuṃbhādyai balādhipatikoṭibhiḥ | nirjagāma mahāvīraḥ sindhuputraḥ pratāpavān

Translation

ثم خرج البطل العظيم، ابنُ سِندهو ذو البأس والسطوة، مصحوبًا بشُمبها ونِشُمبها وسائرهم، ومعه كرورات من قادة الجيوش.

Word by Word

• अथ: then
• अथ: सम्बन्ध/प्रकरणसूचक (Discourse connector/प्रकरण-सूचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रमसूचक/आरम्भार्थक (indeclinable particle: then/now)

• शुम्भ-निशुम्भ-आद्यैः: with those beginning with Śumbha and Niśumbha
• शुम्भ-निशुम्भ-आद्यैः: सह/करण (Sahakāraka/Instrumental: with/by)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुम्भ (प्रातिपदिक) + निशुम्भ (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया विभक्ति (करण/सह), बहुवचन; ‘आद्य’ = ‘आदि’ अर्थे (beginning with)

• बल-अधिपति-कोटिभिः: with crores of army-commanders
• बल-अधिपति-कोटिभिः: सह/करण (Sahakāraka/Instrumental: with)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक) + अधिपति (प्रातिपदिक) + कोटि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘कोटि’ = ‘crore’ (tens of millions)

• निर्जगाम: went forth / set out
• निर्जगाम: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि√गम् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (परस्मैपद) / परोक्षभूत (perfect); प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• महावीरः: the great hero
• महावीरः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महावीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सिन्धु-पुत्रः: the son of the ocean/river Sindhu
• सिन्धु-पुत्रः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिन्धु (प्रातिपदिक) + पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्रतापवान्: mighty, valorous
• प्रतापवान्: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa of कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रतापवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; गुणवाचक विशेषण

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Durgā

Role: destructive

Characters & Entities

• Shumbha
• Nishumbha
• Sindhuputra

FAQs

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

It portrays the outward surge of adharmic power—vast armies and prideful leadership—highlighting that sheer worldly might (bala, pratāpa) is ultimately subordinate to Pati, Lord Shiva, whose order restores dharma.

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

In the Yuddhakhaṇḍa setting, conflict escalates as a prelude to divine intervention; devotees are reminded to take refuge in Saguna Shiva (worshipful, protective Lord) through Linga-upāsanā, trusting that Shiva’s grace overcomes even ‘crores’ of opposing forces.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Maintain steadiness through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and apply Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as a sign of surrender to Shiva, cultivating fearlessness amid external turmoil.