Shloka 14

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

Cause and Background

Devanagari script

ततो रत्नोपहरणमकार्षुर्दैत्यशत्रवः । जगृहुर्यत्नतो देवाः पपुरप्यमृतं छलात्

Transliteration

tato ratnopaharaṇamakārṣurdaityaśatravaḥ | jagṛhuryatnato devāḥ papurapyamṛtaṃ chalāt

Translation

Then the gods—foes of the Daityas—carefully carried off the precious jewels; and, by a strategic ruse, they also drank amṛta, the nectar of immortality.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रमवाचक-अव्यय (then)

• ratna-upaharaṇam: the taking away of jewels
• ratna-upaharaṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratna (प्रातिपदिक) + upaharaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः: रत्नानाम् उपहरणम् (carrying off/appropriation of jewels)

• akārṣuḥ: did / carried out
• akārṣuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ कृ (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• daitya-śatravaḥ: the enemies of the Daityas (the gods)
• daitya-śatravaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daitya (प्रातिपदिक) + śatru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः: दैत्यानां शत्रवः (enemies of the Daityas)

• jagṛhuḥ: took / seized
• jagṛhuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √grah ग्रह् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• yatnataḥ: carefully / with effort
• yatnataḥ: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रिया-विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yatnataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: रीतिवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of manner): यत्नेन (with effort/carefully)

• devāḥ: the gods
• devāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nom/1st), बहुवचन

• papuḥ: drank
• papuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √pā पा (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• api: also
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), समुच्चय/अपि-अर्थ (also/even)

• amṛtam: nectar
• amṛtam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: amṛta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Acc/2nd), एकवचन

• chalāt: by deceit
• chalāt: Hetu (हेतु; cause/manner)
• Type: Noun
• Root: chala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/5th), एकवचन; हेत्वर्थ (by means of deceit)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Distribution/appropriation of ratnas and amṛta after churning

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Daityas
• Amrita

FAQs

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

It highlights that preserving dharma may involve vigilant discernment and timely action; in Shaiva understanding, worldly power (ratna) and even longevity (amṛta) are secondary to alignment with the divine order upheld by Pati (Shiva).

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

Though the verse is narrative, it reflects Saguna Shiva’s governance of cosmic balance: victories and protections in the worlds occur under the Lord’s overarching will, reminding devotees to seek refuge in Shiva beyond transient gains like jewels or amṛta.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to cultivate viveka (discernment) so that one seeks Shiva’s grace rather than chasing “amṛta-like” temporary securities.