Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 52

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

Devanagari script

निकृत्तबाहवः केचित्केचिल्लूनवराननाः । पार्श्वे विदारिताः केचिन्निपेतुरमरा भुवि

Transliteration

nikṛttabāhavaḥ kecitkecillūnavarānanāḥ | pārśve vidāritāḥ kecinnipeturamarā bhuvi

Translation

Certains dieux tombèrent à terre, les bras tranchés ; d’autres eurent leurs nobles visages mutilés ; d’autres encore, les flancs déchirés—ainsi les immortels s’effondrèrent sur le sol, terrassés par la fureur du combat.

Word by Word

• nikṛtta-bāhavaḥ: with arms cut off
• nikṛtta-bāhavaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ni + kṛt (धातु) + bāhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त-प्रत्यय) nikṛtta + noun bāhu; bahuvrīhi meaning 'whose arms are cut off'; Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• kecit: some
• kecit: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); indefinite pronoun (अनिश्चित-सर्वनाम)

• kecit: some
• kecit: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); indefinite pronoun

• lūna-vara-ānanāḥ: with fine faces severed
• lūna-vara-ānanāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: lūna (√lū/धातु, क्त) + vara (प्रातिपदिक) + ānana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi: 'whose excellent faces are cut'; Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• pārśve: in the side/flank
• pārśve: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pārśva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• vidāritāḥ: torn open
• vidāritāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi + dṛ (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त-प्रत्यय), Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• kecit: some
• kecit: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); indefinite pronoun

• nipetuḥ: fell down
• nipetuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni + pat (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (Perfect/लिट्), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन)

• amarāḥ: immortals/gods
• amarāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: amara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• bhuvi: on the ground
• bhuvi: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhū (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Rudra

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a site-legend; the verse continues the saṃhāra-toned narrative of devas being dismembered, underscoring the fragility of even celestial bodies under karmic/daivic upheaval.

Characters & Entities

• Devas (Amaras)

FAQs

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

The verse underscores the fragility of embodied power—even for the devas—showing that strength and status are unstable under karma and conflict; in Shaiva Siddhanta, true safety lies in turning from egoic reliance to surrender to Pati (Shiva), the only unfailing refuge.

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

By depicting the devas brought low, the narrative implicitly teaches that protection and order are restored not by mere celestial might but by devotion to Saguna Shiva, often approached through Linga-worship as the accessible, compassionate form of the transcendent Lord.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to cultivate śaraṇāgati through daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("oṃ namaḥ śivāya") and steadying practices like Tripuṇḍra-bhasma and rudrākṣa, as inner armor when outer power fails.