Shloka 40

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

Devanagari script

अरिवर्गकरक्षिप्ता नानाशस्त्रास्त्रराशयः । महामायाप्रभावेण विफला अभवन् क्षणात्

Transliteration

arivargakarakṣiptā nānāśastrāstrarāśayaḥ | mahāmāyāprabhāveṇa viphalā abhavan kṣaṇāt

Translation

The heaps of diverse weapons and missiles hurled from the hands of the enemy host became futile in an instant, overwhelmed by the power of the Great Māyā.

Word by Word

• ari-varga-kara-kṣiptāḥ: thrown by the enemy host’s hands
• ari-varga-kara-kṣiptāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ari (प्रातिपदिक) + varga (प्रातिपदिक) + kara (प्रातिपदिक) + kṣipta (कृदन्त; √kṣip धातु, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (plural); समासः—अरिवर्गस्य करैः क्षिप्ताः (thrown by the hands of the host of enemies)

• nānā-śastra-astra-rāśayaḥ: heaps of various weapons and missiles
• nānā-śastra-astra-rāśayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nānā (अव्यय/विशेषण) + śastra (प्रातिपदिक) + astra (प्रातिपदिक) + rāśi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (plural); समासः—नानाविधाः शस्त्रास्त्राणां राशयः (heaps/masses of various weapons and missiles)

• mahā-māyā-prabhāveṇa: by the power of Mahāmāyā
• mahā-māyā-prabhāveṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + māyā (प्रातिपदिक) + prabhāva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (singular); समासः—महामायायाः प्रभावः (by the power of the great illusion)

• viphalāḥ: fruitless, ineffective
• viphalāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viphala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (plural); विशेषणम् (qualifying rāśayaḥ)

• abhavan: became
• abhavan: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन (plural)

• kṣaṇāt: in an instant
• kṣaṇāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (Ablative/5th), एकवचन (singular)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Durgā

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Mahāmāyā

FAQs

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

It teaches that worldly force (weapons, strategy, aggression) cannot prevail against divine ordinance; Mahāmāyā can instantly render external power ineffective, turning the seeker toward dependence on Pati (Shiva) rather than on pasha-bound strength.

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

In Saguna worship, Shiva is approached as the sovereign Lord whose śakti governs outcomes. Linga-worship trains the mind to see victory and defeat as subordinate to Shiva’s will, and to seek refuge in the Lord rather than in material means.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchakshara—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—to steady the mind when fear or conflict arises, remembering that divine power can dissolve obstacles faster than any external effort.