Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 22

शुक्रनिग्रहः — The Seizure/Neutralization of Śukra (Kāvya) and the Daityas’ Despondency

Devanagari script

खट्वांगैः पट्टिशैश्शूलैर्लकुटैर्मुसलैरलम् । परस्परमभिघ्नंतः प्रचक्रुः कदनं महत्

Transliteration

khaṭvāṃgaiḥ paṭṭiśaiśśūlairlakuṭairmusalairalam | parasparamabhighnaṃtaḥ pracakruḥ kadanaṃ mahat

Translation

Armados con khaṭvāṅgas, hachas de guerra, lanzas, garrotes y mazas, se golpeaban unos a otros sin cesar, y así provocaron una gran y terrible matanza.

Word by Word

• khaṭvāṃgaiḥ: with khaṭvāṅgas (club-like weapons)
• khaṭvāṃgaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: khaṭvāṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन

• paṭṭiśaiḥ: with battle-axes (paṭṭiśas)
• paṭṭiśaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: paṭṭiśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन

• śūlaiḥ: with tridents/spears
• śūlaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śūla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन

• lakuṭaiḥ: with clubs
• lakuṭaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lakuṭa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन

• musalaiḥ: with pestles/maces
• musalaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: musala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन

• alam: exceedingly/abundantly
• alam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: alam (अव्यय)
• Form: पर्याप्त्यर्थक-अव्यय (adverb: sufficiently/excessively)

• parasparam: mutually, one another
• parasparam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: paraspara (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययीभाववत्)
• Form: अव्यय (reciprocal adverb)

• abhighnantaḥ: striking (each other)
• abhighnantaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi-han (धातु) + śatṛ (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकालिक कृदन्त (present active participle, शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; धातु: हन् (to strike) उपसर्ग: अभि

• pracakruḥ: they made/caused
• pracakruḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-kṛ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (परिपूर्णभूत/Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; उपसर्ग: प्र

• kadanam: slaughter, carnage
• kadanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kadana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

• mahat: great
• mahat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; विशेषण (kadanam)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Rudra

FAQs

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

The verse depicts the intensity of conflict in the Yuddhakhaṇḍa, reminding the listener that when ego, hostility, and adharma dominate, the result is mutual destruction; Shaiva teaching ultimately points beyond such turmoil to refuge in Shiva—inner purification and surrender to the Pati (Lord).

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

Though the verse is a battlefield scene, its implied contrast supports Saguna Shiva worship: the devotee turns from outer violence and instability toward the steady, auspicious presence of the Shiva-Linga, seeking śānti (peace) and grace that subdues inner enemies.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to neutralize anger and agitation through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and a simple śiva-dhyāna on the Linga, cultivating calmness and restraint rather than retaliatory impulse.