Shloka 53

नारीसन्देहभञ्जक-शम्भ्ववतारकथा

The Account of Śambhu’s Incarnation that Dispels Doubts Concerning Women

Devanagari script

तन्दृष्ट्वा शत्रुसामन्तं महाक्रोधेन विह्वलः । अविचार्य वृषन्तस्य शिरश्छेदमकारयत्

Transliteration

tandṛṣṭvā śatrusāmantaṃ mahākrodhena vihvalaḥ | avicārya vṛṣantasya śiraśchedamakārayat

Translation

Seeing that hostile vassal-lord, he was overwhelmed by fierce wrath; and, without deliberation, he caused Vṛṣanta’s head to be cut off.

Word by Word

• तम्: him
• तम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: पूर्वकालक्रिया (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभावः

• शत्रु-सामन्तम्: the enemy feudatory
• शत्रु-सामन्तम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत्रु (प्रातिपदिक) + सामन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: शत्रोः सामन्तः

• महा-क्रोधेन: with great anger
• महा-क्रोधेन: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + क्रोध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: महान् क्रोधः

• विह्वलः: agitated, distraught
• विह्वलः: कर्तृविशेषण (Subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विह्वल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• अविचार्य: without deliberating
• अविचार्य: क्रियाविशेषण (Manner/Prior condition)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अ + वि + चर् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभावः; ‘without considering’

• वृषन्तस्य: of Vṛṣanta
• वृषन्तस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृषन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive), एकवचन; नाम/विशेषणरूपेण (of Vṛṣanta)

• शिरः-छेदम्: beheading, cutting off the head
• शिरः-छेदम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक) + छेद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: शिरसः छेदः

• अकारयत्: caused (it) to be done / ordered
• अकारयत्: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद; णिच्-प्रयोग (causative): ‘caused to be done’

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana account to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Characters & Entities

• Vṛṣanta

FAQs

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

It highlights how krodha (unrestrained anger) eclipses viveka (discernment), leading to violent karma; Shaiva teaching emphasizes inner mastery and dharmic restraint as supports for spiritual purity and liberation.

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

Though the verse is narrative, it indirectly points to Saguna Shiva as the moral governor of karma and dharma—devotees worship the Linga seeking purification of impulses like anger and the cultivation of calm, sattvic conduct.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to cool anger, along with wearing Rudraksha and applying Tripundra (bhasma) as daily reminders of restraint, impermanence, and devotion.