Shloka 2

अध्याय १७ — देवपलायनं, विष्णोः प्रतियुद्धं, जलंधरक्रोधः

Devas’ Rout, Viṣṇu’s Counterattack, and Jalandhara’s Wrath

Devanagari script

दैत्यायुधैः समाविद्धदेहा देवास्सवासवाः । रणाद्विदुद्रुवुस्सर्वे भयव्याकुलमानसाः

Transliteration

daityāyudhaiḥ samāviddhadehā devāssavāsavāḥ | raṇādvidudruvussarve bhayavyākulamānasāḥ

Translation

Their bodies pierced by the Daityas’ weapons, the gods—together with Indra—fell into utter confusion; their minds shaken by fear, they fled from the battlefield.

Word by Word

• daitya-āyudhaiḥ: by the demons’ weapons
• daitya-āyudhaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daitya (प्रातिपदिक) + āyudha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3 विभक्ति), Plural; तत्पुरुष (षष्ठी): ‘दैत्यानाम् आयुधैः’

• samāviddha-dehāḥ: having bodies pierced
• samāviddha-dehāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sam-ā-vidh (धातु) + deha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त) ‘samāviddha’ + noun ‘deha’; Masculine, Nominative (1), Plural; adjective of devāḥ; तत्पुरुष: ‘समाविद्धाः देहाः येषाम्’

• devāḥ: the gods
• devāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1), Plural

• sa-vāsavāḥ: together with Indra
• sa-vāsavāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (प्रातिपदिक/उपसर्गार्थ ‘सह’) + vāsava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1), Plural; adjective of devāḥ; तत्पुरुष: ‘वासवेन सह’ = ‘including Indra’

• raṇāt: from the battle
• raṇāt: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: raṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Ablative (5 विभक्ति), Singular

• vidudruvuḥ: fled away
• vidudruvuḥ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-dru (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (लिट्, perfect), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Plural

• sarve: all
• sarve: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1), Plural; adjective of devāḥ

• bhaya-vyākula-mānasāḥ: fear-disturbed in mind
• bhaya-vyākula-mānasāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhaya (प्रातिपदिक) + vyākula (प्रातिपदिक) + mānasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1), Plural; adjective of devāḥ; तत्पुरुष: ‘भयेन व्याकुलं मानसं येषाम्’

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya, within the Yuddhakhaṇḍa narration)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Indra (Vāsava)
• Daityas

FAQs

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

It shows that even the Devas, when reliant on limited power and shaken by fear, can falter—implying the need to take refuge in Pati (Śiva), the supreme protector beyond worldly strength.

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

The Devas’ defeat highlights the insufficiency of mere celestial might; in the Shiva Purana, such moments typically turn the narrative toward seeking Saguna Śiva’s grace—often through devotion, stotra, and refuge in the Lord symbolized by the Liṅga.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is śaraṇāgati (surrender) supported by japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” along with steadying the mind through bhasma-dhāraṇa (Tripuṇḍra) and simple breath-centered meditation to overcome fear.