Shloka 18

विदलोत्पलदैत्ययोरुत्पत्तिः देवपराजयः ब्रह्मोपदेशः नारदप्रेषणम्

Vidalotpala Daityas, Defeat of the Devas, Brahmā’s Counsel, and Nārada’s Mission

Devanagari script

विदलोत्पलसंज्ञाभ्यां दृप्ताभ्यां वरतो विधेः । तृणीकृतत्रिजगती पुरुषाभ्यां स्वदोर्बलात्

Transliteration

vidalotpalasaṃjñābhyāṃ dṛptābhyāṃ varato vidheḥ | tṛṇīkṛtatrijagatī puruṣābhyāṃ svadorbalāt

Translation

By two proud heroes named Vidala and Utpala—boon-granted by Vidhātā (Brahmā)—the three worlds were, through the sheer strength of their own arms, treated as mere straw.

Word by Word

• vidalotpalasaṃjñābhyām: by the two named Vidala and Utpala
• vidalotpalasaṃjñābhyām: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidala (प्रातिपदिक) + utpala (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃjñā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, द्विवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (vidalotpalā iti saṃjñā yayoḥ) = ‘having the name Vidala and Utpala’

• dṛptābhyām: by the two proud ones
• dṛptābhyām: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dṛpta (कृदन्त; √dṛp (धातु))
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, द्विवचन; क्त (PPP used adjectivally) ‘arrogant’

• varataḥ: from a boon
• varataḥ: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; ‘from the boon’

• vidheḥ: of Brahmā (the Ordainer)
• vidheḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• tṛṇīkṛtatrijagatī: the three-worlds (universe) made like grass (i.e., treated as trivial)
• tṛṇīkṛtatrijagatī: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tṛṇī-kṛta (कृदन्त; √kṛ (धातु)) + tri (प्रातिपदिक) + jagat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; ‘tṛṇīkṛta’ = क्त (PPP) ‘made like grass’; ‘trijagatī’ = त्रि+जगत् (कर्मधारय/द्विगु-समासप्रायः) ‘three worlds’; समस्तपदम् qualifies an implied object

• puruṣābhyām: by the two persons
• puruṣābhyām: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puruṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, द्विवचन

• sva-dorbalāt: from their own arm-strength
• sva-dorbalāt: Apādāna (अपादान) / Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + dorbala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (svasya dorbalam)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Rudra

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; it highlights daitya hubris empowered by Brahmā’s boon—typical purāṇic setup for the Lord’s later reassertion of dharma.

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Vidala
• Utpala

FAQs

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

It highlights how boon-born power can inflate ego, making even the three worlds seem trivial—an illustration of the Shaiva teaching that pride (ahaṅkāra) veils discernment and invites downfall until one turns toward Pati (Śiva), the true Lord beyond mere strength.

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

The verse sets the moral backdrop for why devotees seek Śiva as Saguna (the compassionate protector) through Linga worship: worldly might and even creator-given boons are unstable, while devotion to Śiva anchors one in dharma and leads from fear and oppression toward grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to counter pride with daily Śiva-sādhanā—japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), wearing Rudrākṣa with humility, and applying Tripuṇḍra-bhasma as a reminder that bodily power is transient and liberation depends on Śiva’s grace.