Shloka 34

Kāmarūpeśvara’s Trial and Śiva’s Hidden Protection (कামरूपेश्वर-रक्षा-प्रसङ्गः)

Devanagari script

एतस्मात्पश्य मे शीघ्रं बलं भक्तसुखावहम् । इत्युक्त्वा स पिनाकेन करवालो द्विधा कृतः

Transliteration

etasmātpaśya me śīghraṃ balaṃ bhaktasukhāvaham | ityuktvā sa pinākena karavālo dvidhā kṛtaḥ

Translation

“Therefore, behold at once My power that brings joy to devotees.” Saying this, he took up the bow Pināka and split the sword in two.

Word by Word

• एतस्मात्: from this / therefore
• एतस्मात्: अपादान (Apādāna/Ablative source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (m./n.), पञ्चमी (5th case/Ablative), एकवचन (singular)

• पश्य: see!
• पश्य: प्रेरक/आज्ञा (injunction)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पश् (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• मे: my
• मे: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी/चतुर्थी (Gen./Dat.), एकवचन (singular); अत्र षष्ठी-सम्बन्धे (my)

• शीघ्रम्: quickly
• शीघ्रम्: क्रियाविशेषण (adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: शीघ्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण नपुंसक-एकवचन-प्रयोगः (adverbial accusative)

• बलम्: power
• बलम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन

• भक्त-सुख-आवहम्: bringing happiness to devotees
• भक्त-सुख-आवहम्: कर्मविशेषण (qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भक्त (प्रातिपदिक) + सुख (प्रातिपदिक) + आवह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (भक्तानां सुखम् आवहति इति)

• इति: thus
• इति: वाक्यसमाप्ति/उद्धरण (quotation marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उक्त्यर्थक-अव्यय (quotative particle)

• उक्त्वा: having said
• उक्त्वा: पूर्वक्रिया (prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु) + क्त्वा (क्त्वान्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (absolutive/gerund), पूर्वकाल (having said)

• सः: he
• सः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन

• पिनाकेन: with the Pināka (bow)
• पिनाकेन: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिनाक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन

• करवालः: sword
• करवालः: कर्म (Karma; patient of passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: करवाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन

• द्विधा: in two
• द्विधा: क्रियाविशेषण (manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: द्विधा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: in two parts)

• कृतः: was made / was cut
• कृतः: क्रिया (passive predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगः (was made)

Speaker

Lord Shiva

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Tripurāntaka

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Bhīmaśaṃkara

Sthala Purana: After declaring His protective intent, Śiva demonstrates immediate, precise power: with Pināka He neutralizes the weapon (splitting the sword), showing that divine force operates as measured protection for devotees.

Significance: Removal of obstacles and hostile ‘weapons’ (outer threats and inner vices); reinforces faith in Śiva’s swift intervention.

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Ritual Elements

Offering: dhupa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Pinaka

FAQs

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

The verse highlights Śiva’s śakti expressed for bhaktas: His power is not mere display, but grace that removes obstacles and establishes the devotee in confidence, devotion, and dharma—an outward sign of the compassionate Pati who uplifts the pashu (bound soul).

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

Though the Linga signifies the transcendental (nirguṇa) reality, this episode shows Saguna Śiva acting within the world to protect and reassure devotees; such leelas strengthen faith in Linga-worship by revealing that the formless Lord also manifests with attributes for the devotee’s welfare.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is steadfast bhakti supported by japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) while remembering Śiva as bhakta-sukha-prada (giver of devotees’ joy); this aligns inner surrender with the assurance of His protective grace.