Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 5

अध्याय १७ — देवपलायनं, विष्णोः प्रतियुद्धं, जलंधरक्रोधः

Devas’ Rout, Viṣṇu’s Counterattack, and Jalandhara’s Wrath

Devanagari script

शंखखड्गगदाशार्ङ्गधारी क्रोधसमन्वितः । कठोरास्त्रो महावीरस्सर्वयुद्धविशारदः

Transliteration

śaṃkhakhaḍgagadāśārṅgadhārī krodhasamanvitaḥ | kaṭhorāstro mahāvīrassarvayuddhaviśāradaḥ

Translation

Portant la conque, l’épée, la massue et l’arc Śārṅga, il était empli de courroux. Armé d’armes redoutables, c’était un grand héros, accompli en toute forme de guerre.

Word by Word

• śaṃkha-khaḍga-gadā-śārṅga-dhārī: bearing conch, sword, mace, and Śārṅga bow
• śaṃkha-khaḍga-gadā-śārṅga-dhārī: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of implied subject
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śaṃkha + khaḍga + gadā + śārṅga + dhārin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā (Nominative, 1st), Ekavacana (Singular); बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः—‘शंखं च खड्गं च गदां च शार्ङ्गं च धारयति’ इति धारी

• krodha-samanvitaḥ: endowed with anger
• krodha-samanvitaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: krodha + samanvita (प्रातिपदिक; समन्वित < √i (धातु) + सम् उपसर्ग, क्त)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; ‘क्रोधेन समन्वितः’ (instrumental sense)

• kaṭhora-astraḥ: having formidable weapons
• kaṭhora-astraḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kaṭhora + astra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; कर्मधारयः—‘कठोरम् अस्त्रम् यस्य सः/कठोरास्त्रः’ (adjectival usage)

• mahā-vīraḥ: a great hero
• mahā-vīraḥ: Karta (कर्ता) / Subject (implied)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + vīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; कर्मधारयः—‘महान् वीरः’

• sarva-yuddha-viśāradaḥ: skilled in all battles
• sarva-yuddha-viśāradaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva + yuddha + viśārada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; ‘सर्वेषु युद्धेषु विशारदः’ (locative sense)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Kālāntaka

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: destructive

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

Though describing martial prowess, the verse points to the Shaiva idea that the Lord’s power (Śakti) can manifest fiercely to protect dharma and subdue forces that bind the soul (pāśa). The outer battle mirrors the inner conquest of anger, pride, and delusion through devotion to Pati (Shiva).

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

The weapons and wrath depict Saguna Shiva—God with attributes—active in the world to uphold cosmic order. Linga worship centers the devotee on Shiva as the supreme reality, while such narratives help contemplate His protective, interventionist grace alongside the transcendence signified by the Linga.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to steady the mind with japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and cultivate inner courage and restraint—transforming krodha (anger) into disciplined spiritual force. If following Shiva Purana practice, one may add Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as aids to remembrance.