Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 21

शुक्रनिग्रहः — The Seizure/Neutralization of Śukra (Kāvya) and the Daityas’ Despondency

Devanagari script

तत्र बाणासिवज्रौघैः कठिनैश्च शिलामयैः । भुशुण्डिभिंदिपालैश्च शक्ति भल्लपरश्वधैः

Transliteration

tatra bāṇāsivajraughaiḥ kaṭhinaiśca śilāmayaiḥ | bhuśuṇḍibhiṃdipālaiśca śakti bhallaparaśvadhaiḥ

Translation

هناك هوجِمَ ميدانُ القتال بسُيولٍ من السهامِ والسيوفِ والأسلحةِ الصُّلبةِ كالصاعقة، ومعها مقذوفاتٌ حجريةٌ قاسية؛ وكذلك قُذِفَت البُهُشُنْدِي والبِهِنْدِيبَال، ومعها الرماحُ والنبالُ الشائكةُ وفؤوسُ الحرب.

Word by Word

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (locative adverb)

• bāṇa-asi-vajra-oghaiḥ: with torrents/masses of arrows, swords and thunderbolts
• bāṇa-asi-vajra-oghaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāṇa + asi + vajra + ogha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व/समुच्चयार्थ-समास (weapons as a mass)

• kaṭhinaiḥ: hard/solid
• kaṭhinaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kaṭhina (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifying the weapons)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• śilāmayaiḥ: made of stone
• śilāmayaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śilā-maya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; तद्धितार्थ-तत्पुरुष: śilā + maya (made of stone)

• bhuśuṇḍi-bhiṃdipālaiḥ: with bhuśuṇḍis and bhiṃdipālas (weapons)
• bhuśuṇḍi-bhiṃdipālaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhuśuṇḍi + bhiṃdipāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व (two weapon-types)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• śakti: with a spear/śakti-weapon
• śakti: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śakti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), एकवचन (instrumental used collectively)

• bhalla-paraśvadhaiḥ: with darts (bhallas) and axes (paraśvadhās)
• bhalla-paraśvadhaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhalla + paraśvadha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व (two weapon-types)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Bhairava

FAQs

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

Though outwardly describing a war, the verse also reflects the Shaiva view that worldly conflict mirrors the inner battle against pasha (bondage) such as fear, anger, and delusion; steadiness in Shiva-awareness is the means to transcend turmoil.

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

In Yuddhakhaṇḍa, intense battle scenes heighten the contrast between changing events and the unshaken refuge of Saguna Shiva; Linga-worship represents turning from the storm of the senses to the stable center (Shiva) who grants protection and clarity.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to stabilize the mind during agitation; if following ritual discipline, one may also maintain Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as a reminder of impermanence and Shiva as the inner refuge.