Shloka 11

राहोः शिरच्छेदन-कारणकथनम् / The Account of Rāhu’s Beheading

Cause and Background

Devanagari script

पराजितास्सुरास्तेन रमेशं शरणं ययुः । सवासवास्स्ववृत्तांतमाचख्युः स्वार्थसाधकाः

Transliteration

parājitāssurāstena rameśaṃ śaraṇaṃ yayuḥ | savāsavāssvavṛttāṃtamācakhyuḥ svārthasādhakāḥ

Translation

Defeated by him, the Asuras went for refuge to Rameśa. Along with the Vasus and the Ādityas, they reported the entire account of what had occurred—seeking the fulfillment of their own aims.

Word by Word

• पराजिताः: defeated
• पराजिताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पराजित (कृदन्त; √जि (धातु) उपसर्ग-परि)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त), कर्मणि प्रयोगे ‘पराजित’ = defeated

• सुराः: the gods
• सुराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• तेन: by him/thereby
• तेन: Hetu/Karana (करण/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• रमेशम्: Rameśa (Lord of Ramā/Lakṣmī)
• रमेशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रमेश (प्रातिपदिक; रम + ईश)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (रमायाः ईशः)

• शरणम्: as refuge
• शरणम्: Gati/Upapada-Karma (गति/उपपद-कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; ‘शरणं ययुः’ इति गत्यर्थे

• ययुः: went
• ययुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √या (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• स-वासवाः: together with Indra
• स-वासवाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वासव (प्रातिपदिक) सह (अव्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; अव्ययीभाव (सह वासवैः) = ‘with Indra(s)’

• स्व-वृत्तान्तम्: their own account/news
• स्व-वृत्तान्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृत्तान्त (प्रातिपदिक; स्व (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + वृत्तान्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (स्वस्य वृत्तान्तः)

• आचख्युः: reported/told
• आचख्युः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-√चक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद; ‘told/related’

• स्वार्थ-साधकाः: self-interest seekers
• स्वार्थ-साधकाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: साधक (प्रातिपदिक; स्वार्थ + साधक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (स्वस्य अर्थस्य साधकाः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

• Asuras
• Rameśa
• Vasus
• Ādityas (Devas)

FAQs

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

It highlights that when driven by svārtha (self-serving motives), even a truthful report and an act of seeking refuge remain worldly; Shaiva Siddhanta contrasts this with pure śaraṇāgati (surrender) to Pati (Shiva) that loosens pāśa (bondage).

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

The verse shows crisis-driven refuge-seeking; in Linga/Saguna Shiva worship, the devotee is encouraged to approach Shiva not merely for tactical gain but with devotion and inner transformation—turning refuge into bhakti rather than expediency.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to cultivate śaraṇāgati through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") with humility, supported by simple Shaiva observances like applying tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and steady breath-awareness during japa.