Shloka 8

Devanagari script

समीक्ष्यं तु तयोर्युद्धं निगूढोऽभ्रं समास्थितः । समाप्तवाद्यनिर्घोषः शांतोरुगणनिःस्वनः

Transliteration

samīkṣyaṃ tu tayoryuddhaṃ nigūḍho'bhraṃ samāsthitaḥ | samāptavādyanirghoṣaḥ śāṃtorugaṇaniḥsvanaḥ

Translation

Watching the combat of the two, he remained concealed, having taken refuge in the clouds. The blare of the instruments came to an end, and the loud tumult of the mighty hosts grew quiet.

Word by Word

• समीक्ष्यम्: to be observed; worth watching
• समीक्ष्यम्: Karma (कर्म/विधेयविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sam-īkṣ (धातु) → samīkṣya (कृदन्त)
• Form: Gerundive/Potential passive participle (तव्यत्/यत्-अर्थे—भाव्य/कर्तव्य), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative/Accusative (1st/2nd), Singular (एकवचन); अर्थः—‘द्रष्टव्यम्/निरीक्षणीयम्’

• तु: but; indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), particle (निपात), contrast/emphasis

• तयोः: of the two (of them)
• तयोः: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun (सर्वनाम), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Dual (द्विवचन)

• युद्धम्: battle
• युद्धम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yuddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• निगूढः: hidden
• निगूढः: Karta (कर्ता/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ni-gūḍha (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); अर्थः—‘गूढः/लुप्तः’

• अभ्रम्: cloud
• अभ्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: abhra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• समास्थितः: having taken position; stationed
• समास्थितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ā-sthā (धातु) → samāsthita (कृदन्त)
• Form: Past active participle (क्त/क्तवत्-प्राय), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); अर्थः—‘स्थितः/आस्थितः’ (having taken position)

• समाप्त-वाद्य-निर्घोषः: the sound of instruments having ceased
• समाप्त-वाद्य-निर्घोषः: Karta (कर्ता/वर्ण्यवस्तु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: samāpta + vādya + nirghoṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); समासः—तत्पुरुष (समाप्तानां वाद्यानां निर्घोषः)

• शान्त-उरु-गण-निःस्वनः: the subdued roar of the great hosts
• शान्त-उरु-गण-निःस्वनः: Karta (कर्ता/वर्ण्यवस्तु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śānta + uru + gaṇa + niḥsvana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); समासः—तत्पुरुष (शान्तस्य उरुगणस्य निःस्वनः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

FAQs

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

It highlights the stance of the inner witness: amid conflict and noise, true spiritual poise is to remain detached and observant, letting agitation subside into stillness—an attitude aligned with Shaiva pursuit of peace (śānti) and liberation.

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

The Linga is revered as the stable, unshaken center (Pati) beyond changing events. This verse’s movement from battle-noise to quiet echoes the devotee’s shift from outer turbulence to inward steadiness in Saguna worship, culminating in contemplation of Shiva’s transcendent reality.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is dhyāna as the witness (sākṣī-bhāva): sit quietly, repeat “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and observe thoughts like clouds—without entering the “battle”—until the inner clamor naturally becomes calm.