Shloka 20

Devanagari script

महाधूलिविमिश्रेण महाचण्डेन वायुना । महापाषाणवर्षेण हन्यमाना निराश्रयाः

Transliteration

mahādhūlivimiśreṇa mahācaṇḍena vāyunā | mahāpāṣāṇavarṣeṇa hanyamānā nirāśrayāḥ

Translation

Struck down by a mighty, violent wind thick with great clouds of dust, and battered by a heavy rain of stones, they became helpless—bereft of any refuge.

Word by Word

• महाधूलिविमिश्रेण: mixed with great dust
• महाधूलिविमिश्रेण: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाधूलि + विमिश्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (तृतीया/सह-भाव: महाधूल्या विमिश्रः); पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; विशेषण (of vāyunā)

• महाचण्डेन: very fierce
• महाचण्डेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाचण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारयसमास (महान् च चण्डः); पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; विशेषण (of vāyunā)

• वायुना: by the wind
• वायुना: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वायु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन

• महापाषाणवर्षेण: by a rain of huge stones
• महापाषाणवर्षेण: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महापाषाण + वर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: महापाषाणानां वर्षः); पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन

• हन्यमानाः: being struck
• हन्यमानाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हन् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले कर्मणि कृदन्तः; शतृ/शानच्-प्रत्यय (present passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• निराश्रयाः: without refuge
• निराश्रयाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निराश्रय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विशेषण

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Rudra

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Localized pralaya-like devastation (storm, dust, stone-rain imagery)

FAQs

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

The verse depicts beings overwhelmed by hostile forces, pointing to the Shaiva Siddhanta theme that the bound soul (paśu) is helpless under limiting bonds (pāśa) and ultimately needs the grace and refuge of Pati—Lord Shiva.

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

When worldly supports fail, the Purana repeatedly directs devotees to seek stable refuge in Saguna Shiva as worshipped in the Linga—an accessible form through which Shiva’s protection and grace are invoked amid turmoil.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) through japa of the Panchakshara—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and steady Linga-dhyāna; in crises, devotees also reinforce this with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrāksha as reminders of Shiva-protection.