Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 33

उपमन्युतपः-निवारणप्रसङ्गः / Śiva restrains Upamanyu’s tapas (Śiva disguised as Indra)

Devanagari script

तद्विसृष्टमघोरास्त्रं नंदीश्वरनियोगतः । जगृहे मध्यतः क्षिप्तं नन्दी शंकरवल्लभः

Transliteration

tadvisṛṣṭamaghorāstraṃ naṃdīśvaraniyogataḥ | jagṛhe madhyataḥ kṣiptaṃ nandī śaṃkaravallabhaḥ

Translation

By the command of Nandīśvara, Nandī—beloved of Śaṅkara—seized that Aghora-weapon the moment it was discharged, catching it as it was hurled from the midst (of the fray).

Word by Word

• तत्: that
• तत्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; अघोरास्त्र-विशेषणम्

• विसृष्टम्: released, discharged
• विसृष्टम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + सृज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘released’

• अघोरास्त्रम्: the Aghora weapon
• अघोरास्त्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अघोर + अस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• नन्दीश्वर-नियोगतः: by the command of Nandīśvara
• नन्दीश्वर-नियोगतः: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नन्दीश्वर + नियोग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/पञ्चमी), एकवचन; अपादान (ablative of cause/source)

• जगृहे: seized, took
• जगृहे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ग्रह् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/लिट्), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; आत्मनेपदम्

• मध्यतः: from the middle
• मध्यतः: Apadana (अपादान/स्थान-निर्देश)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: मध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable adverbial form from ablative), ‘from the middle’

• क्षिप्तम्: thrown
• क्षिप्तम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: क्षिप् (धातु)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; अघोरास्त्र-विशेषणम् ‘thrown’

• नन्दी: Nandī
• नन्दी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नन्दिन्/नन्दी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• शंकरवल्लभः: beloved of Śaṅkara
• शंकरवल्लभः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शंकर + वल्लभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; नन्दी-विशेषणम्

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Āghoramūrti

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Nandi
• Nandishvara
• Aghora

FAQs

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

It highlights the Siddhānta theme that Śiva’s grace operates through His gaṇas and devotees: Nandī, as Śiva’s foremost attendant, neutralizes danger instantly, showing that surrender to Pati (Śiva) brings protection from binding forces (pāśa).

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

Nandī is traditionally stationed before the Śiva-liṅga, symbolizing unwavering devotion to Saguna Śiva. This verse reinforces that approaching Śiva through devotion (often beginning with Nandī) aligns the devotee with Śiva’s protective, benevolent power.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to begin Śiva-pūjā with reverence to Nandī and recitation of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), cultivating the Aghora-bhāva—fearlessness grounded in Śiva’s protection—along with steady japa and inner surrender.