Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 37

तारक-कुमार-युद्धवर्णनम् / Description of the Battle between Tāraka and Kumāra

Devanagari script

कियंतश्च हतास्तत्र कियंतश्च पलायिताः । पलायमाना व्यथिता स्ताडिता निर्ज्जरैर्गणैः

Transliteration

kiyaṃtaśca hatāstatra kiyaṃtaśca palāyitāḥ | palāyamānā vyathitā stāḍitā nirjjarairgaṇaiḥ

Translation

そこでは多くが討たれ、多くが逃げ去った。逃走する者たちは苦悶し震えながら、シヴァの天上の眷属たる神聖なるガナたちに打たれ、追い立てられた。

Word by Word

• कियन्तः: how many
• कियन्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कियत् (प्रातिपदिक; प्रश्न/परिमाणवाचक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘how many’

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• हताः: were slain
• हताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हन् (धातु) → हत (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘slain’

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक अव्यय (locative adverb)

• कियन्तः: how many
• कियन्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कियत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• पलायिताः: fled away
• पलायिताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पलाय् (धातु) → पलायित (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘fled’

• पलायमानाः: fleeing
• पलायमानाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पलाय् (धातु) → पलायमान (कृदन्त, शानच्)
• Form: वर्तमानकालिक आत्मनेपदीय कृदन्त (present middle participle/शानच्), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषणभावे

• व्यथिताः: distressed
• व्यथिताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: व्यथ् (धातु) → व्यथित (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past participle used adjectivally), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• स्ताडिताः: struck; beaten
• स्ताडिताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्ताड्/स्ताडय् (धातु) → स्ताडित (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past participle used adjectivally), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• निर्जरैः: by the gods (immortals)
• निर्जरैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निर्जर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• गणैः: by the troops
• गणैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; निर्जरैः इत्यस्य विशेषण/सम्बन्ध

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Rudra

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Ganas

FAQs

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

It portrays the inevitability of dharma’s victory under Śiva’s guardianship: when adharma rises, Śiva’s śakti operates through His gaṇas to subdue arrogance and restore order, reminding the soul (paśu) to relinquish ego and seek refuge in Pati.

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

The verse highlights Saguna Śiva’s active lordship—His attendants execute His will in the world. Linga-worship trains devotion to that same Lord who is both transcendent and immanent, the protector who removes obstacles to righteousness.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is śaraṇāgati (surrender) supported by japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—to steady the mind in fear and conflict, aligning one’s actions with Śiva’s dharmic order.