Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 16

भद्रस्य दिव्यरथारोहणं शङ्खनादश्च — Bhadra’s Divine Chariot-Ascent and the Conch-Blast

Devanagari script

ततः शरवरं घोरं दीप्तमाशीविषोपमम् । जग्राह गणपः श्रीमान्स्वयमुग्रपराक्रमः

Transliteration

tataḥ śaravaraṃ ghoraṃ dīptamāśīviṣopamam | jagrāha gaṇapaḥ śrīmānsvayamugraparākramaḥ

Translation

Alors l’illustre Gaṇapa, vaillant et farouche par sa propre puissance, saisit un carquois terrible, flamboyant tel un serpent venimeux.

Word by Word

• ततः: then
• ततः: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; अव्यय-प्रकारः—काल/अनुक्रम (adverb: then/from there)

• शरवरम्: an excellent arrow (best of arrows)
• शरवरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शरवर (प्रातिपदिक: शर+वर)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (शराणां वरम् = best/choice of arrows)

• घोरम्: terrible
• घोरम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घोर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying शरवरम्)

• दीप्तम्: blazing
• दीप्तम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीप्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √दीप् (धातु) → भूतकृदन्त/PPP)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (past participle) विशेषण

• आशीविषोपमम्: like a venomous serpent
• आशीविषोपमम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आशीविष+उपम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (आशीविषस्य उपमम् = like a venomous serpent)

• जग्राह: seized/took up
• जग्राह: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ग्रह् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• गणपः: Gaṇapa (leader of the gaṇas)
• गणपः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गणप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• श्रीमान्: splendid/fortunate
• श्रीमान्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रीमन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying गणपः)

• स्वयम्: himself
• स्वयम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वयम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारः—निपात/स्वतन्त्र-कर्तृबोधक (emphatic: himself)

• उग्रपराक्रमः: of fierce valor
• उग्रपराक्रमः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उग्र+पराक्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (fierce + valor) विशेषण (qualifying गणपः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Ganesha

FAQs

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

The verse highlights how divine agency operates through Shiva’s gaṇas—here Gaṇeśa—showing that protection of dharma is carried out by empowered manifestations under Pati (Śiva). Valor is portrayed as disciplined, purposeful power aligned with cosmic order.

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

Gaṇeśa’s action reflects Saguna divinity—Shiva’s grace expressed through personal forms and attendants. In Linga-centered Shaiva worship, devotees honor the transcendent Śiva while also revering his accessible manifestations (Gaṇeśa, the gaṇas) as channels of protection and blessing.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to begin worship with Gaṇeśa-vandana and then steady the mind with japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), cultivating fearlessness and focus—inner ‘weapons’ against obstacles and agitation.