Shloka 15

शिवदूतेन युद्धनिश्चयः तथा देवदानवयुद्धारम्भः (Śiva’s Envoy and the Commencement of the Deva–Dānava War)

Devanagari script

एकादश महारुद्राश्चैकादशभयंकरैः । असुरैर्युयुधुर्वीरैर्मैहाबलपराक्रमैः

Transliteration

ekādaśa mahārudrāścaikādaśabhayaṃkaraiḥ | asurairyuyudhurvīrairmaihābalaparākramaiḥ

Translation

Then the eleven Mahārudras fought against eleven terrifying Asura heroes—mighty in strength and formidable in valor.

Word by Word

• एकादश: eleven
• एकादश: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एकादश (प्रातिपदिक/संख्याशब्द)
• Form: संख्यावाचक-विशेषण (numeral adjective), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural) (agreeing with महारुद्राः)

• महारुद्राः: the great Rudras (eleven Rudras)
• महारुद्राः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा-रुद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• एकादशभयंकरैः: with the eleven fearsome (ones)
• एकादशभयंकरैः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एकादश-भयंकर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन (Plural); विशेषण (adjective) qualifying असुरैः

• असुरैः: with the Asuras
• असुरैः: Sahakāraka/Instrument (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन (Plural)

• युयुधुः: fought
• युयुधुः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: युध् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन (Plural)

• वीरैः: with heroic/brave (ones)
• वीरैः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन (Plural); विशेषण (adjective) qualifying असुरैः

• मैहाबलपराक्रमैः: with great strength and valor
• मैहाबलपराक्रमैः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मैहा-बल-पराक्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन (Plural); विशेषण (adjective) qualifying असुरैः

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmī

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Rudra

Characters & Entities

• Mahārudras
• Asuras

FAQs

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

It portrays Rudra’s protective, saguna manifestation: the Mahārudras act as instruments of Pati (Śiva) to restrain adharmic forces, showing that divine power safeguards cosmic order when it is threatened.

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

While the Liṅga points to Śiva’s transcendent (nirguṇa) reality, the Mahārudras represent His accessible (saguṇa) activity in the world—devotees worship Śiva knowing the same Supreme is both beyond form and active as protector through His hosts.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Contemplate Śiva as the inner protector and recite the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” for steadiness in inner ‘battle’ against fear and negativity; optionally support practice with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as Shaiva disciplines.