Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 17

तारकवाक्य-शक्रविष्णुवीरभद्रयुद्धवर्णनम् — Account of Tāraka’s declarations and the battle involving Śakra (Indra), Viṣṇu, and Vīrabhadra

Devanagari script

पुरैताभ्यां कृतं कर्म विरुद्धं वेदमार्गतः । तच्छृणुध्वं मया प्रोक्तं वर्णयामि विशेषतः

Transliteration

puraitābhyāṃ kṛtaṃ karma viruddhaṃ vedamārgataḥ | tacchṛṇudhvaṃ mayā proktaṃ varṇayāmi viśeṣataḥ

Translation

Einst war die Tat, die jene beiden vollbrachten, dem Pfad der Veden zuwider. Hört, wie ich es verkünde—nun will ich es euch in besonderer Ausführlichkeit schildern.

Word by Word

• purā: formerly
• purā: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: purā (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (temporal adverb)

• etābhyām: by these two
• etābhyām: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), द्विवचन (Dual)

• kṛtam: done
• kṛtam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; here with कर्म: 'done'

• karma: deed/act
• karma: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• viruddham: contrary/opposed
• viruddham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viruddha (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, √rudh/√rudh?; conventional adj.)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (adjective) कर्म इति

• veda-mārgataḥ: as per the Vedic path / contrary to the Vedic way
• veda-mārgataḥ: Hetu/Apādāna (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: veda (प्रातिपदिक) + mārga (प्रातिपदिक) + tas (तसिल्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: तसिलन्त-अव्यय (ablatival adverb): 'from/according to the path of the Veda'; तत्पुरुष-समास: वेदस्य मार्गः

• tat: that
• tat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• śṛṇudhvam: hear (you all)
• śṛṇudhvam: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śru (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), बहुवचन, आत्मनेपद

• mayā: by me
• mayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• proktam: spoken (by me)
• proktam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra + vac (धातु)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; 'spoken/said' (qualifying tat)

• varṇayāmi: I describe
• varṇayāmi: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: varṇ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• viśeṣataḥ: in detail
• viśeṣataḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: viśeṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + tas (तसिल्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: तसिलन्त-अव्यय (adverb): 'in detail/specially'

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

FAQs

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

It highlights that spiritual progress in Shaiva dharma depends on aligning one’s actions with śāstra and the Vedic path; deeds opposed to dharma become obstacles (pāśa) rather than aids to grace (anugraha).

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

Linga-worship is presented in the Purana as śāstric and purifying; this verse sets a contrast—ritual or conduct that violates the Vedic framework lacks the sanctifying orientation needed for proper Saguna Shiva worship.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is śāstra-anusaraṇa—performing Shiva worship and vows in a Vedic, disciplined manner (e.g., mantra-japa like the Panchakshara with purity and right conduct), avoiding adharmic or unprescribed acts.