Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 25

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

Devanagari script

अस्तिस्वनैरवापूरि द्यावाभूम्योर्यदंतरम् । अभीरूणां च भीरूणां महारोमोद्गमोऽभवत्

Transliteration

astisvanairavāpūri dyāvābhūmyoryadaṃtaram | abhīrūṇāṃ ca bhīrūṇāṃ mahāromodgamo'bhavat

Translation

Durch das donnernde Dröhnen der Waffen wurde der ganze Raum zwischen Himmel und Erde erfüllt; und bei Furchtlosen wie Furchtsamen gleichermaßen stellte sich ein gewaltiges Schaudern ein, dass sich die Haare sträubten.

Word by Word

• अस्तिस्वनैः: by the sounds of bones (clashing)
• अस्तिस्वनैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्ति + स्वन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष—‘अस्तीनां स्वनाः’ (clashing/creaking sounds of bones)

• अवापूरि: was filled
• अवापूरि: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-√पूर् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, आत्मनेपद; ‘was filled’

• द्यावाभूम्योः: of heaven and earth
• द्यावाभूम्योः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्यावा + भूमी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (समाहार-द्वन्द्वे नपुंसकत्वं सम्भवति; अत्र द्विवचन-षष्ठी/सप्तमी), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), द्विवचन; द्वन्द्व—‘द्यौः च भूमिः च’

• यत्: which/that
• यत्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (अन्तरम् इत्यस्य विशेषणम्)

• अन्तरम्: the space/interval
• अन्तरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (अवापूरि इत्यस्य कर्तृ/कर्मभावे)

• अभीरूणाम्: of the fearless
• अभीरूणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभीरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• भीरूणाम्: of the fearful
• भीरूणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• महारोमोद्गमः: great horripilation (hair standing on end)
• महारोमोद्गमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + रोम + उद्गम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष—‘रोम्णाम् उद्गमः’ with उपपद ‘महा’ (great hair-raising)

• अभवत्: occurred/arose
• अभवत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Bhairava

FAQs

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

It portrays the overwhelming power of karmic and cosmic forces set in motion during divine conflict—so intense that even the fearless feel awe—hinting that true refuge is steadiness in devotion to Pati (Shiva) beyond fear and excitement.

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

The verse highlights the mind’s natural reaction to terrifying external events; Saguna Shiva worship (including Linga worship) trains the devotee to anchor awareness in Shiva’s protective presence, transforming fear into reverent awe and surrender.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchakshara mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to steady the breath and mind amid agitation; if following Shaiva practice, one may also apply Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as a reminder of impermanence and inner refuge.