Shloka 36

Mahiṣāsura’s Conquest of Svarga and the Devas’ Appeal to Śiva and Viṣṇu

Devanagari script

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तत्र महिषासुरपालिताः । समाजग्मुर्महावीराः कोटिशो धृतहेतयः

Transliteration

etasminnantare tatra mahiṣāsurapālitāḥ | samājagmurmahāvīrāḥ koṭiśo dhṛtahetayaḥ

Translation

Meanwhile, at that very place, mighty heroes—maintained and commanded by Mahiṣāsura—arrived in crores, bearing their weapons in readiness.

Word by Word

• etasmin: in this
• etasmin: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (प्रातिपदिक; sarvanāma)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• antare: in the interval; meanwhile
• antare: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: antara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (देशवाचक-अव्यय)

• mahiṣa-asura-pālitāḥ: protected/ruled by the buffalo-demon (Mahiṣāsura)
• mahiṣa-asura-pālitāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahiṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + asura (प्रातिपदिक) + pālita (कृदन्त; √pāl ‘to protect/guard’)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); तत्पुरुषः (महिṣासुरेण पालिताः)

• samājagmuḥ: assembled; came together
• samājagmuḥ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gam (धातु) with sam-
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• mahā-vīrāḥ: great heroes
• mahā-vīrāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + vīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); कर्मधारयः (महान्तः वीराः)

• koṭiśaḥ: in crores; in vast numbers
• koṭiśaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: koṭiśas (अव्यय; from koṭi)
• Form: Adverb (परिमाणवाचक-अव्यय) meaning 'by crores/in millions'

• dhṛta-hetayaḥ: those bearing weapons
• dhṛta-hetayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhṛta (कृदन्त; √dhṛ ‘to hold’) + heti (प्रातिपदिक; weapon/spear)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); बहुव्रीहिः (धृतहेतयः = येषां हेतयः धृताः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Durgā

Role: destructive

Characters & Entities

• Mahishasura

FAQs

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

It portrays the swelling of asuric power—numbers, weapons, and control—highlighting how worldly might can intensify bondage (pāśa) when it is rooted in ego and domination rather than devotion to Pati (Śiva).

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

By contrasting armed force with the deeper refuge of Saguna Śiva (the compassionate Lord who intervenes to restore dharma), the narrative implicitly directs the devotee away from fear and towards surrender, worship, and grace-centered protection.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

In times of conflict and inner agitation, the practical takeaway is steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—with a calm, disciplined mind, supported by simple Śaiva observances like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa where appropriate.