Shloka 13

देवशरणागति-नारदप्रेषणम् | The Devas Take Refuge in Śiva; Nārada Is Sent

Devanagari script

संग्रामे स हृषीकेशं स्ववशं कृतवान् बली । जलंधरो महादैत्यः सर्वामरविमर्दकः

Transliteration

saṃgrāme sa hṛṣīkeśaṃ svavaśaṃ kṛtavān balī | jalaṃdharo mahādaityaḥ sarvāmaravimardakaḥ

Translation

In the battle, that mighty Jalandhara—the great Daitya, crusher of all the gods—brought Hṛṣīkeśa (Viṣṇu) under his own control.

Word by Word

• संग्रामे: in battle
• संग्रामे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संग्राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• हृषीकेशम्: Hṛṣīkeśa (Viṣṇu)
• हृषीकेशम्: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हृषीकेश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; proper noun (Viṣṇu)

• स्व-वशम्: under (his) control
• स्व-वशम्: Karma (कर्म/object complement)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + वश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; समासः—स्वस्य वशः (one's control) used adverbially ‘under his control’

• कृतवान्: made
• कृतवान्: Kriya (क्रिया; participial predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्तवतु-प्रत्ययान्त (past active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; ‘having made’

• बली: powerful
• बली: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बलिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; adjective of सः/जलंधरः

• जलंधरः: Jalaṃdhara
• जलंधरः: Karta (कर्ता; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जलंधर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; proper noun

• महा-दैत्यः: a great demon
• महा-दैत्यः: Karta (कर्ता; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + दैत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः—महान् दैत्यः

• सर्व-अमर-विमर्दकः: crusher of all the gods
• सर्व-अमर-विमर्दकः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + अमर (प्रातिपदिक) + विमर्दक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः—सर्वेषाम् अमराणां विमर्दकः (crusher of all gods)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Jalandhara

FAQs

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

The verse highlights that even exalted deities can be constrained within the field of karma and cosmic order; ultimate sovereignty belongs to the Supreme Pati (Śiva), who alone is truly independent beyond all worldly power-struggles.

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

By showing Viṣṇu being overpowered in a narrative context, the text directs the devotee to take refuge in Śiva as the highest Lord; Liṅga-worship represents that supreme, stabilizing reality (Pati) who transcends the fluctuating fortunes of devas and asuras.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to cultivate refuge in Śiva through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and steady devotion, remembering that worldly strength is unstable while Śiva alone grants protection and liberation.