Shloka 59

राहोर्विमोचनानन्तरं जलन्धरस्य सैन्योद्योगः — Rahu’s Aftermath and Jalandhara’s Mobilization

Devanagari script

त्रयस्ते वरयामासुर्गणसेनां महाबलाः । मुंचंतश्शरवर्षाणि प्रावृषीव बलाहकाः

Transliteration

trayaste varayāmāsurgaṇasenāṃ mahābalāḥ | muṃcaṃtaśśaravarṣāṇi prāvṛṣīva balāhakāḥ

Translation

Those three mighty warriors checked the Gaṇa-army’s advance, pouring forth showers of arrows like monsoon clouds heavy with rain.

Word by Word

• त्रयः: three
• त्रयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (संख्यावाचक)

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (pronoun)

• वरयामासुः: chose/selected (attacked/engaged)
• वरयामासुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वृ (धातु; वृणोति/वृणुते)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (परोक्षभूत/Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन, परस्मैपद

• गण-सेनाम्: the army of the gaṇas
• गण-सेनाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गण (प्रातिपदिक) + सेना (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (गणानां सेना)

• महाबलाः: very strong
• महाबलाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा (उपसर्ग/पूर्वपद) + बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः (महद् बलं येषाम्/महाबलाः)

• मुंचन्तः: releasing, pouring forth
• मुंचन्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √मुच् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकालिक शतृ-प्रत्यय (present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• शर-वर्षाणि: showers of arrows
• शर-वर्षाणि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शर (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (शराणां वर्षम्)

• प्रावृषि: the rainy season
• प्रावृषि: Upamana (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रावृष् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• इव: like
• इव: Upama-sambandha (उपमा-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमावाचक अव्यय (particle of comparison)

• बलाहकाः: clouds
• बलाहकाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बलाहक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; it depicts the asuras’ tactical ‘checking’ of Śiva’s gaṇas—momentary concealment/obstruction before inevitable divine victory.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Ganas

FAQs

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

It portrays how opposing forces can temporarily “check” even Śiva’s Gaṇa-host, yet the imagery emphasizes that worldly power is like a storm—intense but transient—while alignment with Pati (Śiva) remains the enduring refuge for the bound soul (paśu).

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

The Gaṇas represent Saguna Śiva’s protective and active presence in the world; remembering them supports Linga-worship by reinforcing faith that Śiva’s manifest power governs conflict and restores order, even when resistance appears overwhelming.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to steady the mind in conflict by japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) while visualizing Śiva’s protective retinue; this cultivates courage and devotion (bhakti) rather than agitation.