Shloka 32

जालन्धरस्य दूतप्रेषणम् — Jalandhara Sends an Envoy to Kailāsa

The Provocation of Śiva

Devanagari script

महातनुर्महाबाहुस्तालजंघो भयंकरः । अभिदुद्राव वेगेन राहुं स पुरुषो द्रुतम्

Transliteration

mahātanurmahābāhustālajaṃgho bhayaṃkaraḥ | abhidudrāva vegena rāhuṃ sa puruṣo drutam

Translation

That formidable Person—of vast stature, mighty-armed, with legs like palm-trunks and a terrifying presence—swiftly rushed at Rāhu with great speed.

Word by Word

• महातनुः: of huge body
• महातनुः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा + तनु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (महती तनुः यस्य)

• महाबाहुः: with mighty arms
• महाबाहुः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा + बाहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (महान्तौ बाहू यस्य)

• तालजङ्घः: with legs like palm-trees
• तालजङ्घः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ताल + जङ्घा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (तालवत् जङ्घे यस्य)

• भयङ्करः: terrifying
• भयङ्करः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भय + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुष (भयं करोति)

• अभिदुद्राव: rushed towards
• अभिदुद्राव: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verbal action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: द्रु (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन, परस्मैपद; उपसर्गः अभि-

• वेगेन: with speed
• वेगेन: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd case/Instrumental), एकवचन

• राहुम्: Rāhu
• राहुम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd case/Accusative), एकवचन

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम (pronoun)

• पुरुषः: the being/person
• पुरुषः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• द्रुतम्: quickly
• द्रुतम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: द्रुतम् (अव्यय/कृदन्त-नपुंसक)
• Form: अव्ययीभूत-नपुंसक एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra

Characters & Entities

• Rahu

FAQs

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

The verse highlights the Shaiva theme that dharma, empowered by the Lord’s order, advances fearlessly against forces of obscuration (symbolized by Rāhu). In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, it reflects the soul’s movement away from pasha (bondage) when supported by divine grace and righteous resolve.

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

Though the verse is martial in imagery, it aligns with Saguna Shiva devotion: the Divine is understood as actively protecting devotees and restoring cosmic order. Linga-worship cultivates surrender to Shiva as Pati (Lord) who removes hindrances and subdues tamasic, eclipse-like forces represented by Rāhu.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is steadfast japa of the Panchākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—to overcome inner ‘eclipses’ (fear, confusion, negativity). Pair it with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and a brief meditation on Shiva as the protector who drives away obstacles.