Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 24

मन्वन्तर-कल्प-प्रश्नोत्तरम् / Discourse on Manvantaras, Kalpas, and Re-creation

Devanagari script

महापर्वतवर्ष्माणं महाजलदनिःस्वनम् । नीलमेघप्रतीकाशं दीप्तशब्दं भयानकम्

Transliteration

mahāparvatavarṣmāṇaṃ mahājaladaniḥsvanam | nīlameghapratīkāśaṃ dīptaśabdaṃ bhayānakam

Translation

Son corps était vaste comme une grande montagne, grondant tel un nuage de tonnerre puissant—sombre comme un nuage de pluie bleu, avec un son flamboyant et terrible qui inspirait la crainte.

Word by Word

• mahā-parvata-varṣmāṇam: having a huge mountain-like body
• mahā-parvata-varṣmāṇam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + parvata (प्रातिपदिक) + varṣman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः: तत्पुरुष (mahān parvataḥ iva varṣmā yasya / or parvata-varṣman ‘mountain-like bulk’ with mahā- prefix); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• mahā-jalada-niḥsvanam: with a great cloud-like roar
• mahā-jalada-niḥsvanam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + jalada (प्रातिपदिक) + niḥsvana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः: तत्पुरुष (jalada-niḥsvana ‘cloud-roar’ with mahā-); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• nīla-megha-pratīkāśam: resembling a dark-blue cloud
• nīla-megha-pratīkāśam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nīla (प्रातिपदिक) + megha (प्रातिपदिक) + pratīkāśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः: तत्पुरुष (nīla-megha-pratīkāśa ‘resembling a dark-blue cloud’); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• dīpta-śabdam: with a resounding sound
• dīpta-śabdam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dīpta (कृदन्त; √dīp + क्त) + śabda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः: कर्मधारय (dīptaḥ śabdaḥ yasya / ‘blazing/loud sound’); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• bhayānakam: terrifying
• bhayānakam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhayānaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse portrays an overwhelming, fearsome manifestation whose vastness and thunder-like roar awaken awe (bhaya mixed with reverence), pushing the limited soul (paśu) to surrender to Shiva as the supreme Lord (Pati) beyond all appearances.

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

By emphasizing a visible, describable, terrifying form, the verse supports Saguna contemplation—devotion to Shiva with attributes—while reminding the devotee that such forms point toward the ultimately transcendent reality worshipped in the Linga.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is fear-transforming japa: steady repetition of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with calm breath, supported by Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as aids to recollect Shiva as the inner refuge.