Shloka 31

जालन्धरस्य दूतप्रेषणम् — Jalandhara Sends an Envoy to Kailāsa

The Provocation of Śiva

Devanagari script

सिंहास्यप्रचलजिह्वस्सज्ज्वालनयनो महान् । ऊर्द्ध्वकेशश्शुष्कतनुर्नृसिंह इव चापरः

Transliteration

siṃhāsyapracalajihvassajjvālanayano mahān | ūrddhvakeśaśśuṣkatanurnṛsiṃha iva cāparaḥ

Translation

Another mighty one appeared—lion-faced, with a lolling tongue and blazing eyes; with hair standing upright and a gaunt, dried body—resembling Narasiṃha in ferocity.

Word by Word

• सिंहास्यप्रचलजिह्वः: lion-faced, with a moving tongue
• सिंहास्यप्रचलजिह्वः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सिंह + आस्य + प्रचल + जिह्वा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (सिंहास्यं प्रचलजिह्वा च यस्य)

• सज्ज्वालनयनः: with blazing eyes
• सज्ज्वालनयनः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्/सम् + ज्वाल + नयन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (सज्ज्वालानि नयनानि यस्य)

• महान्: great
• महान्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• ऊर्ध्वकेशः: with hair standing upright
• ऊर्ध्वकेशः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ऊर्ध्व + केश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (ऊर्ध्वाः केशाः यस्य)

• शुष्कतनुः: with a dried/gaunt body
• शुष्कतनुः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुष्क + तनु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (शुष्का तनुः यस्य)

• नृसिंहः: Narasiṃha (man-lion)
• नृसिंहः: Upamāna (उपमान/Standard of comparison)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृ + सिंह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुष (नराणां सिंहः)

• इव: like
• इव: Upamā (उपमा/Comparison marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमावाचक (particle of comparison)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय/Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• अपरः: another
• अपरः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अपर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (another/second)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Kālabhairava

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Kālī

Role: destructive

Characters & Entities

• Narasiṃha

FAQs

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

The verse portrays a terrifying, protective manifestation of divine power: in Shaiva understanding, such fierce forms are Saguna expressions that subdue adharma and dissolve the devotee’s fear and ego, turning attention toward Shiva as the supreme protector (Pati).

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

Though the Linga signifies Shiva’s transcendence, the Purana also describes Saguna, awe-inspiring forms active in cosmic order. This verse emphasizes that the same Supreme reality worshipped as the Linga can appear with fearsome attributes to restore balance and safeguard devotees.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) while visualizing Shiva’s protective presence; for steadiness, one may also adopt Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders of fearlessness and surrender.