Shloka 56

वीरभद्र-भैरव-आह्वानम् — Invocation of Vīrabhadra/Bhairava for Cosmic Reabsorption

Devanagari script

त्वदादिस्तम्बपर्यन्तं रुद्रशक्तिविजृम्भितम् । शक्तिमानभितस्त्वं च ह्यनलात्त्वं विमोहितः

Transliteration

tvadādistambaparyantaṃ rudraśaktivijṛmbhitam | śaktimānabhitastvaṃ ca hyanalāttvaṃ vimohitaḥ

Translation

From you up to the very end of the cosmic pillar, all this is the vast unfolding of Rudra’s Śakti. Though you are mighty and surrounded by your own energies, you have been deluded by the fire and do not recognize the Lord who transcends it and yet pervades it.

Word by Word

• tvad-ādi-stamba-paryantam: extending from you up to the pillar
• tvad-ādi-stamba-paryantam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tvad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक) + stamba (प्रातिपदिक) + paryanta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (range): tvadādi ... stambaparyantam; नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (extent)

• rudra-śakti-vijṛmbhitam: expanded by Rudra’s power
• rudra-śakti-vijṛmbhitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rudra (प्रातिपदिक) + śakti (प्रातिपदिक) + vi-√jṛmbh (धातु) + kta (कृत्)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास: rudrasya śaktiḥ = rudraśaktiḥ; tayā vijṛmbhitam (expanded/displayed); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त

• śaktimān: powerful
• śaktimān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śaktimat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masc), प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• abhitas: on all sides/around
• abhitas: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: abhitas (अव्यय)
• Form: उपसर्गार्थक-अव्यय/अव्यय (adverb): 'around/on all sides'

• tvam: you
• tvam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम (pronoun), पुंलिङ्ग (masc), प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-निपात (conjunction)

• hi: indeed/for
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), हेत्वर्थ/निश्चयार्थ (indeed/for)

• analāt: from fire
• analāt: Apādāna (अपादान/Ablative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masc), पञ्चमी (5th/पञ्चमी), एकवचन

• tvam: you
• tvam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• vimohitaḥ: bewildered/deluded
• vimohitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi-√muh (धातु) + kta (कृत्)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

Speaker

Lord Shiva (as the revealer within the pillar/manifestation of Rudra-shakti)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Liṅgodbhava

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Rudra)

FAQs

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

It teaches that the entire manifested range of experience is an expansion of Rudra’s śakti, yet the soul can still be deluded by elemental appearances (like fire) and miss the all-pervading Lord; liberation comes through recognizing Shiva as the inner reality beyond such veils.

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

The “pillar” evokes the linga-principle: Shiva as the limitless axis of manifestation. Worship of the Linga trains the mind to see Saguna symbols (form, power, radiance) as gateways to Nirguna Shiva who pervades them and transcends them.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditate on Shiva as Rudra-śakti pervading all elements while repeating the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya); support it with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and a Rudrāksha mala to reduce delusion and stabilize recognition of Pati.