Shloka 8

ब्राह्मणान्हंतुमसकृदन्वधावत वै ततः । दैत्यो दुन्दुभिनिर्ह्रादो देववैरी महाखलः

brāhmaṇānhaṃtumasakṛdanvadhāvata vai tataḥ | daityo dundubhinirhrādo devavairī mahākhalaḥ

Then that wicked Daitya—Dundubhi, whose roar was like a war-drum and who was an enemy of the gods—again and again rushed forward, intent on slaying the Brāhmaṇas.

ब्राह्मणान्Brahmins
ब्राह्मणान्:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), बहुवचन
हन्तुम्to kill
हन्तुम्:
Prayojana (प्रयोजन/उद्देश्य)
TypeVerb
Rootहन् (धातु)
Formतुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय-क्रियापद (infinitive), अर्थः—कर्तुं/To do
असकृत्repeatedly
असकृत्:
Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअसकृत् (अव्यय)
Formअव्यय, क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)
अन्वधावतran after / pursued
अन्वधावत:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootअनु+धाव् (धातु)
Formलङ्-लकार (Imperfect/past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद
वैindeed
वै:
Sambandha/Emphasis (निपात)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootवै (अव्यय)
Formअव्यय, निपात (particle; emphasis)
ततःthen / thereafter
ततः:
Deśa-kāla-adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण—काल/क्रम)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootततः (अव्यय)
Formअव्यय, क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of sequence)
दैत्यःthe demon
दैत्यः:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootदैत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन
दुन्दुभिनिर्ह्रादः(one) with drum-like roar
दुन्दुभिनिर्ह्रादः:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootदुन्दुभि+निर्ह्राद (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (दुन्दुभेः निर्ह्रादः)
देववैरीenemy of the gods
देववैरी:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootदेव+वैरिन् (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (देवानां वैरी)
महाखलःgreat villain
महाखलः:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootमहा+खल (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महान् खलः)

Suta Goswami

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Shakti Form: Durgā

Role: protective

D
Dundubhi
B
Brahmanas
D
Devas

FAQs

The verse highlights adharma as hostility toward Brāhmaṇas and the devas—symbolizing an assault on sacred knowledge and cosmic order—against which Shaiva tradition upholds protection of dharma under the Lord’s sovereign governance (Pati) over all beings.

In the battle narrative of the Rudrasaṃhitā, such demonic aggression sets the stage for divine intervention; devotion to Saguna Shiva (often centered on the Liṅga) is portrayed as refuge and alignment with dharma when destructive forces threaten the sanctity of worship and Vedic living.

The practical takeaway is dharmic protection through steady Shiva-bhakti—daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and maintaining purity with Tripuṇḍra-bhasma, as safeguards of mind and conduct amid hostile or chaotic influences.