Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 24

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

Devanagari script

रणतूर्य्यनिनादैश्च गजानां बहुबृंहितैः । हेषारवैर्हयानां च महान्कोलाहलोऽभवत्

Transliteration

raṇatūryyaninādaiśca gajānāṃ bahubṛṃhitaiḥ | heṣāravairhayānāṃ ca mahānkolāhalo'bhavat

Translation

Au fracas des trompettes de guerre, aux barrissements répétés des éléphants et aux hennissements retentissants des chevaux, un tumulte immense s’éleva sur le champ de bataille.

Word by Word

• रणतूर्यनिनादैः: by the sounds of war-drums/trumpets
• रणतूर्यनिनादैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रण + तूर्य + निनाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः—षष्ठी/सप्तमी-तत्पुरुषार्थे ‘रणे तूर्याणां निनादाः’ (battle-instruments’ sounds)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• गजानाम्: of elephants
• गजानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन

• बहुबृंहितैः: by many trumpeting roars
• बहुबृंहितैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बहु + बृंहित (बृंह् धातोः क्त, कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय—‘बहूनि बृंहितानि’ (many trumpeting/roarings)

• हेषारवैः: by neighing sounds
• हेषारवैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हेषा + रव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष—‘हेषायाः रवाः’ (neighing-sounds)

• हयानाम्: of horses
• हयानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• महान्: great
• महान्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (कोलाहलः इत्यस्य विशेषणम्)

• कोलाहलः: uproar
• कोलाहलः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कोलाहल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अभवत्: arose/was
• अभवत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra

Characters & Entities

• Elephants
• Horses

FAQs

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

It portrays the peak of worldly agitation (kolāhala) that precedes divine resolution; in Shaiva thought, such external tumult mirrors inner restlessness that is pacified by turning to Pati (Śiva) for steadiness and right discernment.

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

The verse emphasizes sensory overwhelm in conflict; Linga-worship and Saguna-Śiva contemplation function as an anchoring focus—drawing awareness from noise and fear toward Śiva as the stable center beyond changing battle conditions.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

In moments of agitation, mentally repeat the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with steady breath, and recollect Śiva as the inner refuge; this is the practical takeaway even when no explicit ritual item is named.