Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 6

तारक-कुमार-युद्धवर्णनम् / Description of the Battle between Tāraka and Kumāra

Devanagari script

शक्तिनिर्भिन्नदेहौ तौ महासाधनसंयुतौ । परस्परं वंचयंतौ सिंहाविव महाबलौ

Transliteration

śaktinirbhinnadehau tau mahāsādhanasaṃyutau | parasparaṃ vaṃcayaṃtau siṃhāviva mahābalau

Translation

Those two, their bodies marked apart by opposing powers, were equipped with great means and resources; each tried to outmaneuver the other, like two mighty lions of immense strength.

Word by Word

• śaktinirbhinnadehau: whose bodies were pierced by spears
• śaktinirbhinnadehau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śakti (प्रातिपदिक) + nirbhinna (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त) + deha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि-समास (शक्त्या निर्भिन्नौ देहौ यस्य), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; adjective to ‘tau’

• tau: those two
• tau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन

• mahāsādhanasaṃyutau: equipped with great weapons/means
• mahāsādhanasaṃyutau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + sādhana (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃyuta (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि-समास (महासाधनैः संयुतौ), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; ‘equipped with great means/weapons’

• parasparam: each other
• parasparam: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: paraspara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: परस्पर-अव्यय (reciprocal adverb)

• vaṃcayantau: outwitting
• vaṃcayantau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vaṃc (धातु) + śatṛ (शतृ)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (present participle), परस्मैपद-भाव, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; ‘deceiving/outwitting’

• siṃhau: two lions
• siṃhau: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: siṃha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन

• iva: like
• iva: Upamā (उपमा-सूचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा-वाचक अव्यय (particle of comparison)

• mahābalau: very strong
• mahābalau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; adjective to ‘tau’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Rudra

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It highlights how competing forces (śaktis) can polarize embodied beings, producing conflict and strategizing; from a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, the seeker is urged to recognize Pati (Shiva) as the supreme governor of all powers and to move from reactive rivalry toward disciplined clarity and right action.

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

The imagery of clashing powers points to the need for a stable spiritual center; worship of Saguna Shiva through the Linga provides a focused support (ālambana) for the mind, helping the devotee transcend agitation caused by opposing impulses and return to Shiva-oriented dharma.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is steady japa of the Panchakshara—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—to pacify inner conflict, along with simple Shaiva discipline such as applying Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and maintaining ethical restraint so one does not get pulled into mutual deception and hostility.