Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 40

विष्णूत्पत्तिवर्णनम्

Description of the Origin/Manifestation of Viṣṇu

Devanagari script

सुवर्णकृतिभृच्छ्रेष्ठ दुकूलयुगलावृतः । लसत्प्रचंडदोर्दण्डयुगलोह्यपराजितः

Transliteration

suvarṇakṛtibhṛcchreṣṭha dukūlayugalāvṛtaḥ | lasatpracaṃḍadordaṇḍayugalohyaparājitaḥ

Translation

Il apparut comme le plus éminent porteur d’ornements d’or, revêtu d’une paire de vêtements délicats ; avec deux bras rayonnants d’une puissance redoutable, il demeurait invaincu.

Word by Word

• suvarṇa-kṛti-bhṛt-śreṣṭhaḥ: the best bearer of golden ornaments/works
• suvarṇa-kṛti-bhṛt-śreṣṭhaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of implied subject
• Type: Adjective
• Root: suvarṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + kṛti (प्रातिपदिक) + bhṛt (कृदन्त, √bhṛ धातु) + śreṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/उपपद-तत्पुरुष (suvarṇa-kṛtiṃ bibharti iti bhṛt; तेषां भृतां मध्ये śreṣṭhaḥ)

• dukūla-yugala-āvṛtaḥ: covered with a pair of fine garments
• dukūla-yugala-āvṛtaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of implied subject
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dukūla (प्रातिपदिक) + yugala (प्रातिपदिक) + āvṛta (कृदन्त, √vṛ/√vṛt? here √vṛ ‘to cover’ with ā- उपसर्ग)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (dukūlayugaleṇa āvṛtaḥ = covered with a pair of fine garments)

• lasat-pracaṇḍa-dor-daṇḍa-yugalaḥ: having a pair of shining, very fierce arm-staffs
• lasat-pracaṇḍa-dor-daṇḍa-yugalaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of implied subject
• Type: Adjective
• Root: lasat (कृदन्त, √las धातु, शतृ/वर्तमान कृदन्त) + pracaṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक) + dor (प्रातिपदिक; doḥ ‘arm’) + daṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक) + yugala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः/कर्मधारय-प्रायः (lasat = shining; pracaṇḍa = fierce; dor-daṇḍa = arm-like staffs; yugala = pair)

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), अव्यय; emphasis/indeed

• aparājitaḥ: undefeated, unconquered
• aparājitaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of implied subject
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-parājita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक; √ji धातु with para- उपसर्ग, past passive participle parājita ‘defeated’, with negation a-)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नञ्-समास/उपसर्ग-निषेध (a- = not)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Empowerment/qualification of the manifested being for cosmic function within early creation

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse emphasizes the Lord’s “aparājita” nature—Shiva as Pati, the invincible sovereign beyond all limiting bonds (pāśa). Meditating on this radiant, powerful form stabilizes devotion and reminds the seeker that liberation ultimately rests in the grace of the unconquered Lord.

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

Though the Linga points to the formless (nirguṇa) reality, devotees often approach through a sacred, visible (saguṇa) contemplation. This verse supports saguṇa-upāsanā by presenting an auspicious, majestic vision of Shiva that can be held in mind during Linga worship as a doorway to the transcendent.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is dhyāna: visualize Shiva as radiant and unconquered while repeating the Pañcākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”). If observing Mahāśivarātri or daily pūjā, combine this with calm breath and steady japa to cultivate fearlessness and devotion.