Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 9

तारक-कुमार-युद्धवर्णनम् / Description of the Battle between Tāraka and Kumāra

Devanagari script

महाबलं प्रकुर्वतौ परस्परवधैषिणौ । जघ्नतुश्शक्तिधाराभी रणे रणविशारदौ

Transliteration

mahābalaṃ prakurvatau parasparavadhaiṣiṇau | jaghnatuśśaktidhārābhī raṇe raṇaviśāradau

Translation

Mit gewaltiger Kraft auftretend und auf gegenseitige Tötung bedacht, schlugen die beiden Krieger im Kampf mit ihren Speeren zu, beide kundig in der Kriegskunst.

Word by Word

• mahā-balam: great strength
• mahā-balam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; object of prakurvatau

• prakurvatau: were displaying/doing forth
• prakurvatau: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra+√kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (लट्, present), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Dual; parasmaipada

• paraspara-vadha-eṣiṇau: seeking to slay each other
• paraspara-vadha-eṣiṇau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: paraspara (प्रातिपदिक) + vadha (प्रातिपदिक) + eṣin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Dual; tatpuruṣa: 'parasparasya vadham eṣaṇā yayoḥ' (seeking each other’s killing), qualifying the two fighters

• jaghnatuḥ: they two struck/killed
• jaghnatuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: han (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ-lakāra (लिट्, perfect), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Dual; parasmaipada

• śakti-dhārābhiḥ: with volleys of spears
• śakti-dhārābhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śakti (प्रातिपदिक) + dhārā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; tatpuruṣa: 'śakteḥ dhārāḥ' (streams/volleys of spears)

• raṇe: in battle
• raṇe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: raṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th), Singular

• raṇa-viśāradau: skilled in warfare
• raṇa-viśāradau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: raṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + viśārada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Dual; tatpuruṣa: 'raṇe viśāradau' (skilled in battle), qualifying the two

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra

FAQs

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

It portrays the intensity of worldly rivalry and violence; from a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, such conflict highlights the need to turn from destructive passions toward devotion to Pati (Shiva), who alone grants inner mastery and liberation.

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

Battle episodes in the Rudra Saṃhitā often contrast outward power with the higher refuge of Saguna Shiva worship—seeking Shiva as the protecting Lord rather than relying on mere martial strength.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to subdue anger and competitiveness, supported by Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders of restraint and Shiva-centered awareness.