Shloka 3

शिवशङ्खचूडयुद्धवर्णनम् / Description of the Battle between Śiva and Śaṅkhacūḍa

Devanagari script

व्योमवाणीं समाकर्ण्य तत्त्वज्ञानविशारदः । ययौ स्वयं च समरे स्वगणैस्सह शंकरः

Transliteration

vyomavāṇīṃ samākarṇya tattvajñānaviśāradaḥ | yayau svayaṃ ca samare svagaṇaissaha śaṃkaraḥ

Translation

Als Śaṅkara die himmlische Stimme vernahm, zog Er, kundig in der Erkenntnis der Wirklichkeit (tattva), selbst in die Schlacht, begleitet von Seinen eigenen Gaṇas.

Word by Word

• व्योमवाणीम्: the celestial/sky-voice
• व्योमवाणीम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्योम + वाणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (Genitive Tatpurusha): व्योम्नः वाणी = व्योमवाणी

• समाकर्ण्य: having heard
• समाकर्ण्य: क्रियाविशेषण (Kriyāviśeṣaṇa/Adverbial to main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-√कर्ण् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive/Gerund), अव्ययभाव (indeclinable verbal), ‘having heard/listened’

• तत्त्वज्ञानविशारदः: skilled in true knowledge
• तत्त्वज्ञानविशारदः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तत्त्व + ज्ञान + विशारद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); समासः (compound) ‘तत्त्वज्ञान-विशारद’ = ‘skilled in knowledge of reality’

• ययौ: went
• ययौ: क्रिया (Kriyā/Finite verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √या (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद (Parasmaipada)

• स्वयम्: himself
• स्वयम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Kriyāviśeṣaṇa/Adverb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वयम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable), प्रकार/स्वतन्त्रता-बोधक (adverb: ‘oneself’)

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय-बोधक (conjunction)

• समरे: in battle
• समरे: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular)

• स्वगणैः: with his own troops/attendants
• स्वगणैः: सहकारक/करण (Sahakāraka/Instrumental of accompaniment)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व + गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural); कर्मधारयः: स्वाः गणाः = स्वगणाः

• सह: together with
• सह: सह (Saha/Accompaniment marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सह (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, सहार्थक (postposition-like indeclinable: ‘with’)

• शंकरः: Śaṅkara (Śiva)
• शंकरः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शंकर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Rudra

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: No Jyotirliṅga setting; the verse is a martial mobilization triggered by a celestial proclamation (vyomavāṇī), moving Śiva and his gaṇas toward battle.

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: vyomavāṇī (celestial proclamation/omen)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shankara
• Ganas

FAQs

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

The verse shows Śiva as tattva-jñāna-viśārada—master of ultimate reality—yet actively engaged in protecting cosmic order. In Shaiva Siddhānta, this highlights Pati (Śiva) whose compassionate, purposeful action guides beings and sustains dharma while remaining established in supreme knowledge.

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

Śaṅkara’s personal arrival with His gaṇas emphasizes Saguna Śiva—God with attributes—who responds to devotees and cosmic needs. Linga worship trains the mind to recognize the same Lord: transcendent in tattva, yet immanent and responsive in līlā (divine action).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is śravaṇa and ajapā-smaraṇa: listen inwardly for divine guidance while repeating the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya.” Before worship, apply Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and dedicate one’s actions to Śiva, as He Himself acts from tattva-jñāna for the good of all.