Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 25

गजासुरतपः–देवलोकक्षोभः

Gajāsura’s Austerities and the Disturbance of the Worlds

Devanagari script

स इत्थं निर्जितककुबेकराड् विषयान्प्रियान् । यथोपजोषं भुंजानो नातृप्यदजितेन्द्रियः

Transliteration

sa itthaṃ nirjitakakubekarāḍ viṣayānpriyān | yathopajoṣaṃ bhuṃjāno nātṛpyadajitendriyaḥ

Translation

Thus, even after conquering the rulers of the quarters and gaining beloved objects of enjoyment, he indulged in them as he pleased; yet, because his senses were unconquered, he never found contentment. From the Shaiva standpoint, outward victory without mastery of the indriyas cannot yield śānti—only devotion to Śiva and inner restraint lead toward liberation.

Word by Word

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; pronoun

• ittham: thus
• ittham: Prakāra (प्रकार/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ittham (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), manner adverb

• nirjita-kakub-eka-rāṭ: the sole monarch who conquered the directions
• nirjita-kakub-eka-rāṭ: Karta (कर्ता/apposition to saḥ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nir-√ji (धातु) → nirjita (कृदन्त) + kakubh (प्रातिपदिक) + eka (प्रातिपदिक) + rājan/rāṭ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; समास: बहुव्रीहि ‘निर्जिताः ककुभः (दिशः) येन सः, एकराट्’ (sole ruler who has conquered the quarters)

• viṣayān: sense-objects/enjoyments
• viṣayān: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• priyān: dear/pleasing
• priyān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: priya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural; qualifying ‘viṣayān’

• yathā-upajoṣam: as he pleased
• yathā-upajoṣam: Prakāra (प्रकार/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय) + upajoṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyayībhāva compound used adverbially; indeclinable sense ‘according to enjoyment/at will’

• bhuñjānaḥ: enjoying
• bhuñjānaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/agent-participle)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhuj (धातु) → bhuñjāna (कृदन्त)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ/Śatṛ), Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; agreeing with ‘saḥ’

• na: not
• na: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), negation particle

• atṛpyat: was satisfied
• atṛpyat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√tṛp (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्/Laṅ), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada

• ajita-indriyaḥ: with uncontrolled senses
• ajita-indriyaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a- (नञ्) + jita (कृदन्त) + indriya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; समास: बहुव्रीहि ‘अजितानि इन्द्रियाणि यस्य’ (whose senses are unconquered)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Indriyas (senses)
• Dikpalas (lords of the directions)

FAQs

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

It teaches that external conquest and abundance of pleasures do not bring fulfillment when the senses remain unmastered; lasting peace arises from inner discipline and devotion to Lord Shiva as Pati (the liberating Lord).

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

Linga/Saguna Shiva worship redirects the seeker from restless sense-enjoyment toward concentrated bhakti and purity; by steady worship, the indriyas are restrained and the mind becomes fit for Shiva’s grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice indriya-nigraha through daily Shiva-puja, japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and simple vrata-like restraint—especially on Mahashivratri—to weaken attachment to viṣayas.