Shloka 20

Śumbha–Niśumbha’s Mobilization After Devī’s Victories

Battle Muster and Omens

Devanagari script

विभिन्नदेहा दितिजा झषोपमा विकन्धरा वाजिगणा भयंकराः । परासवः कालिकया कृता रणे मृगारिणा चाशिषतापरेऽसुरा

Transliteration

vibhinnadehā ditijā jhaṣopamā vikandharā vājigaṇā bhayaṃkarāḥ | parāsavaḥ kālikayā kṛtā raṇe mṛgāriṇā cāśiṣatāpare'surā

Translation

In that battle, the Diti-born demons—some with bodies torn apart, some like great fish, some headless, and some appearing as dreadful troops of horsemen—were deprived of life by Kālikā. Yet other asuras, seeking refuge, implored Mṛgāri (Śiva) for protection and blessing.

Word by Word

• vibhinna-dehāḥ: with torn bodies
• vibhinna-dehāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi-bhinna (√bhid-क्त) + deha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन); bahuvrīhi: ‘whose bodies are split’

• ditijāḥ: Daityas (sons of Diti)
• ditijāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ditija (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)

• jhaṣa-upamāḥ: like fish
• jhaṣa-upamāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jhaṣa + upamā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन); compound: jhaṣa ‘fish’ + upama ‘like’ (तत्पुरुष)

• vikandharāḥ: with severed necks/shoulders
• vikandharāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi-kandhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)

• vājigaṇāḥ: troops of horses/cavalry
• vājigaṇāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāji + gaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन); compound: vāji ‘horse’ + gaṇa ‘group’ (तत्पुरुष)

• bhayaṃkarāḥ: terrifying
• bhayaṃkarāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhayaṃkara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन); compound: bhayaṃ + kara (तत्पुरुष: ‘fear-causing’)

• parāsavaḥ: lifeless; dead
• parāsavaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para + asu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन); bahuvrīhi: ‘whose life-breath is gone’

• kālikayā: by Kālīkā
• kālikayā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kālikā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular (एकवचन)

• kṛtāḥ: made; rendered
• kṛtāḥ: Kartṛ-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृसमानाधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √kṛ (धातु; क्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)

• raṇe: in battle
• raṇe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: raṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular (एकवचन)

• mṛgāriṇā: by the lion
• mṛgāriṇā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mṛga + ari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular (एकवचन); compound: mṛga ‘beast’ + ari ‘enemy’ (तत्पुरुष: ‘enemy of beasts’, i.e., lion)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक)

• āśiṣata: they desired; they sought (boons)
• āśiṣata: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √śās/√ā-śiṣ (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन); Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद)

• apare: others
• apare: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: apara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)

• asurāḥ: demons
• asurāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Kālī

Role: destructive

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Kālikā

FAQs

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

The verse highlights Shiva as Pati—the ultimate refuge—showing that even those bound by tamas and violence (asuras) can turn toward Him; grace begins with surrender, while adharma collapses under the power aligned with Shiva.

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

By portraying Shiva (Mṛgāri) as an accessible, responsive Lord who grants protection when approached, the verse supports Saguna devotion—approaching Shiva with humility, as one approaches the Linga as the living presence of the Lord.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is śaraṇāgati (taking refuge): worship Shiva with the Panchākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” offering water and bilva to the Linga with the intention of surrender and seeking purification of hostile tendencies.