Shloka 8

Śiva–Arjuna Yuddha and the Subjugation of Pride (Śiva-parīkṣā)

Devanagari script

तदार्जुनः शिवं स्मृत्वा मल्लयुद्धं चकार सः । वाहिनीपतिना तेन भयात्क्लिष्टोपि धैर्यवान्

Transliteration

tadārjunaḥ śivaṃ smṛtvā mallayuddhaṃ cakāra saḥ | vāhinīpatinā tena bhayātkliṣṭopi dhairyavān

Translation

Then Arjuna, remembering Lord Śiva, engaged in a wrestling combat (malla-yuddha). Though distressed by fear of that commander of the army, he remained steadfast and courageous.

Word by Word

• तदा: then
• तदा: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

• अर्जुनः: Arjuna
• अर्जुनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: arjuna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• शिवम्: Śiva
• शिवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• स्मृत्वा: having remembered
• स्मृत्वा: Kriyā (क्रिया/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: smṛ (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय, absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव (indeclinable verbal)

• मल्ल-युद्धम्: wrestling-fight
• मल्ल-युद्धम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: malla (प्रातिपदिक) + yuddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• चकार: did/performed
• चकार: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• वाहिनी-पतिना: by the commander (lord of the army)
• वाहिनी-पतिना: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāhinī (प्रातिपदिक) + pati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• तेन: by him
• तेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, तृतीया, एकवचन

• भयात्: from fear
• भयात्: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (Ablative/5th), एकवचन

• क्लिष्टः: afflicted
• क्लिष्टः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kliś (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (past passive participle/क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अपि: even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: सम्भावन/अपि-कारार्थक-अव्यय (particle: even/also)

• धैर्यवान्: courageous/steadfast
• धैर्यवान्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dhairya-vat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Arjuna

FAQs

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

The verse highlights śiva-smaraṇa (remembering Shiva) as an inner refuge: when the mind rests in Pati (Shiva), fear may arise but does not overpower the devotee, and dhairya (steadfast courage) becomes possible.

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

Arjuna’s act of “remembering Shiva” reflects Saguna-upāsanā—turning to Shiva with form and grace as the protector. Linga-worship similarly trains constant remembrance, so action in the world is supported by devotion rather than driven by fear.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa and smaraṇa of Shiva—especially the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—before demanding duties, cultivating calm resolve and courage.