Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 5

युद्धप्रारम्भवर्णनम् — Description of the Commencement of Battle

Devanagari script

तदा नभोऽऽङ्गना वाणीं जगादोपरि सत्वरम् । शङ्करप्रेरिता सद्यो हर्यादीनखिलान् सुरान्

Transliteration

tadā nabho''ṅganā vāṇīṃ jagādopari satvaram | śaṅkarapreritā sadyo haryādīnakhilān surān

Translation

Alors, aussitôt, la Voix céleste dans le ciel parla promptement d’en haut—mue par Śaṅkara—et s’adressa sur-le-champ à tous les dieux, à commencer par Hari (Viṣṇu).

Word by Word

• तदा: then
• तदा: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

• नभः: sky
• नभः: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नभस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अङ्गना: a woman/maiden
• अङ्गना: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्गना (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), एकवचन

• वाणीम्: speech, voice
• वाणीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• जगाद: said, spoke
• जगाद: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गद् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (परोक्शभूत/Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• उपरि: above, overhead
• उपरि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उपरि (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb/preposition: above)

• सत्वरम्: quickly, hastily
• सत्वरम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सत्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण अव्ययीभूत-नपुंसक एकवचन (adverbial accusative)

• शङ्करप्रेरिता: impelled by Śaṅkara
• शङ्करप्रेरिता: Hetu/Nimitta (हेतु/निमित्त)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शङ्कर + प्र + ईर्/इर् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle) ‘प्रेरित’; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तृतीया-तत्पुरुषवत् सम्बन्धः—शङ्करेण प्रेरिता (by Śaṅkara impelled)

• सद्यः: immediately
• सद्यः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सद्यः (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (immediately)

• हरि-आदीन्: Hari and others
• हरि-आदीन्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘आदि’ समासान्त/प्रयोगः—हरिं आदिं येषां ते (Hari and others)

• अखिलान्: all, entire
• अखिलान्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अखिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying)

• सुरान्: gods
• सुरान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), बहुवचन

Speaker

Ākāśavāṇī (the celestial voice), prompted by Lord Śiva (Śaṅkara)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Īśāna

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Vishnu
• Devas

FAQs

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

It highlights Śiva as Pati—the supreme governor whose grace (anugraha) directs even the devas; the “voice from the sky” signifies divine injunction that aligns beings with dharma and the cosmic purpose.

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

By showing Śaṅkara actively prompting guidance to the gods, the verse emphasizes Saguna Śiva—Śiva with attributes—who intervenes compassionately in the world and directs devotees toward right action and worship.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A key takeaway is śravaṇa (devotional listening) and prompt obedience to divine teaching—practically expressed through daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and attentive listening to Shiva Purana kathā.