Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 38

युद्धप्रारम्भवर्णनम् — Description of the Commencement of Battle

Devanagari script

एवं द्वन्द्वेन युद्धेन महता च सुरासुराः । संगरे युयुधुस्सर्वे बलेन कृतनिश्च याः

Transliteration

evaṃ dvandvena yuddhena mahatā ca surāsurāḥ | saṃgare yuyudhussarve balena kṛtaniśca yāḥ

Translation

So kämpften durch wilde Zweikämpfe und durch eine große Schlacht alle Devas und Asuras in jenem Streit, ihren Entschluss durch die eigene Kraft gefestigt.

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, प्रकारवाचक

• द्वन्द्वेन: with mutual combat
• द्वन्द्वेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvandva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• युद्धेन: by/with battle
• युद्धेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yuddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• महतā: great
• महतā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (युद्धेन)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चयबोधक

• सुरासुराः: gods and demons
• सुरासुराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sura + asura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास (सुराश्च असुराश्च), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• संगरे: in the battle
• संगरे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṃgara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन

• युयुधुः: fought
• युयुधुः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: yudh (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण (सुरासुराः)

• बलेन: with strength
• बलेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• कृतनिश्चयाः: having firm resolve
• कृतनिश्चयाः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (कृ-धातु; क्त) + niścaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि-समास (कृतः निश्चयः येषाम्), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Rudra

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Asuras

FAQs

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

It portrays the intensity of worldly struggle—devas and asuras alike act from determination and power—pointing the seeker to a Shaiva Siddhanta insight: true liberation is not won by mere force, but by turning from conflict-driven identity (pāśa) toward the grace of Pati (Śiva).

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

The verse sets the battlefield backdrop common in Purāṇic narration; in Shaiva practice, such turmoil contrasts with the stabilizing refuge of Saguna Śiva worship—approaching the Liṅga as the steady center where agitation (rajas) is pacified and resolve is redirected into devotion.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to convert “firm resolve” into daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with a calm, disciplined mind; if following Purāṇic Shaiva custom, accompany it with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and rudrākṣa as aids to steadiness rather than aggression.