Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 31

दक्षस्य यज्ञप्रवृत्तिः तथा ईश्वरवर्जितदेवसमागमः

Dakṣa’s Sacrificial Undertaking and the Devas’ Assembly without Īśvara

Devanagari script

महाशरभशार्दूलसिंहैः सदृशविक्रमम् । प्रशस्तमत्तमातंगसमानगमनालसम्

Transliteration

mahāśarabhaśārdūlasiṃhaiḥ sadṛśavikramam | praśastamattamātaṃgasamānagamanālasam

Translation

His prowess was like that of the mighty Śarabha, the tiger, and the lion; and his gait—unhurried and majestic—resembled the measured movement of a renowned royal elephant in rut.

Word by Word

• महाशरभशार्दूलसिंहैः: with great śarabhas, tigers, and lions
• महाशरभशार्दूलसिंहैः: करण (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाशरभ-शार्दूल-सिंह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/सह), बहुवचन; Instrumental plural (3rd case)

• सदृश: similar, comparable
• सदृश: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सदृश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; agreeing with 'विक्रमम्' as qualifier

• विक्रमम्: valor, prowess
• विक्रमम्: कर्म (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विक्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative singular (object/description)

• प्रशस्त: praised, excellent
• प्रशस्त: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रशस्त (कृदन्त; प्रशंस् धातु, क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; past passive participle used adjectivally

• मत्त: intoxicated, rutting
• मत्त: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मत्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; used within compound as qualifier

• मातंग: elephant
• मातंग: उपपद-सम्बन्ध (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मातंग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; used within compound

• समान: equal, like
• समान: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: समान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; used within compound

• गमन: gait, movement
• गमन: उपपद-सम्बन्ध (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गमन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; used within compound

• आलसम्: slow, leisurely
• आलसम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आलस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative/nom. neuter sg; head of compound phrase

• प्रशस्तमत्तमातंगसमानगमनालसम्: having a leisurely gait like a praised rutting elephant
• प्रशस्तमत्तमातंगसमानगमनालसम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रशस्त-मत्त-मातंग-समान-गमन-आलस (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषसमासः (determinative), describing the subject/object implied in context

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Rudra

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

FAQs

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

The verse uses exalted animal similes to convey divinely endowed śakti—fearless strength tempered by composed, sovereign restraint—implying mastery over power rather than mere aggression, a hallmark of Shaiva ideals of disciplined might.

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

Though not explicitly about the Liṅga, it supports Saguna contemplation: devotees meditate on the Lord (or His empowered devotee/gaṇa) as possessing unsurpassed valor and tranquil majesty, stabilizing the mind in reverence that leads toward the Liṅga’s deeper nirguṇa meaning.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A simple takeaway is dhyāna on Shiva’s majestic steadiness—reciting the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") while visualizing calm, powerful composure—cultivating inner fearlessness and restraint.