Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 22

युद्धप्रारम्भवर्णनम् — Description of the Commencement of Battle

Devanagari script

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तत्र बलोन्मत्ताः परस्परम् । दैत्या देवा महावीरा युयुधुः क्रोधविह्वलाः

Transliteration

etasminnantare tatra balonmattāḥ parasparam | daityā devā mahāvīrā yuyudhuḥ krodhavihvalāḥ

Translation

Cependant, en ce même lieu et à cet instant, les grands héros—Daityas et Devas—enivrés de leur propre puissance, s’affrontèrent, l’esprit ébranlé et poussé par la colère.

Word by Word

• etasmin: in this
• etasmin: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• antare: in the interval
• antare: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: antara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th), Singular; 'in the interval/meanwhile'

• tatra: there
• tatra: Deśa-adhikaraṇa (देशाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (देशवाचक अव्यय)

• bala-unmattāḥ: maddened by strength
• bala-unmattāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bala (प्रातिपदिक) + unmatta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Plural; tatpuruṣa: 'balena unmattāḥ' (maddened by strength)

• parasparam: each other / mutually
• parasparam: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: paraspara (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Reciprocal adverb (परस्परम्)

• daityāḥ: Daityas (demons)
• daityāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daitya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Plural

• devāḥ: Devas (gods)
• devāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Plural

• mahā-vīrāḥ: great heroes
• mahā-vīrāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + vīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Plural; karmadhāraya: 'mahāś ca te vīrāś ca' (great heroes), qualifying daityāḥ/devāḥ

• yuyudhuḥ: fought
• yuyudhuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: yudh (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ-lakāra (लिट्, perfect), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Plural; parasmaipada

• krodha-vihvalāḥ: disturbed by anger
• krodha-vihvalāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: krodha (प्रातिपदिक) + vihvala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Plural; tatpuruṣa: 'krodhena vihvalāḥ' (agitated by anger)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Kālāntaka

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga passage; the ‘bala-unmāda’ (intoxication of strength) and krodha (wrath) signal the karmic machinery that culminates in destruction—an implicit Kālāntaka (ender of Death/Time) horizon over all martial pride.

Significance: Moral-psychological: warns that anger and power-intoxication deepen bondage; invites cultivation of śānti through Śiva-bhakti and guru-upadeśa.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Durgā

Role: destructive

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Daityas

FAQs

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

It highlights two classic bonds (pāśa) described in Shaiva thought—krodha (anger) and mada/ahaṅkāra (pride in power). Even exalted beings become turbulent when ruled by these, implying that true victory is inner mastery leading toward Shiva’s grace and liberation.

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

The verse contrasts worldly conflict with the stabilizing refuge of Saguna Shiva worship (Linga-upāsanā). In the Purana’s broader flow, remembrance of Shiva and devotion redirect the mind from agitation (vikṣepa) toward steadiness and dharma.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to counter anger and pride through japa of the Panchākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” along with Shaiva disciplines like applying Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and cultivating kṣamā (forbearance) before worship.