Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 39

कार्त्तिकेयान्वेषण-नन्दिसंवाद-वर्णनम्

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Devanagari script

रुद्रांश्च भैरवांश्चैव शिवतुल्यपराक्रमान् । अन्यांश्च विकृताकारानसंख्यानपि नारद

Transliteration

rudrāṃśca bhairavāṃścaiva śivatulyaparākramān | anyāṃśca vikṛtākārānasaṃkhyānapi nārada

Translation

「（そこには）ルドラの分身も、またバイラヴァの分身も現れ—武勇においてシヴァに等しく—さらに、ナーラダよ、奇瑞にして異相なる者たちが数知れずいた。」

Word by Word

• रुद्रान्: Rudras
• रुद्रान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

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

• भैरवान्: Bhairavas
• भैरवान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भैरव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

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

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-अव्यय (particle: indeed/just)

• शिवतुल्यपराक्रमान्: whose valor equals Śiva’s
• शिवतुल्यपराक्रमान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिव + तुल्य + पराक्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः (‘शिवेन तुल्यः पराक्रमः येषाम्’)

• अन्यान्: others
• अन्यान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

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

• विकृताकारान्: of grotesque forms
• विकृताकारान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विकृत + आकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (‘विकृतः आकारः येषाम्’)

• असंख्यान्: innumerable
• असंख्यान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ + संख्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; नञ्-समासार्थक-विशेषण (‘uncountable/innumerable’)

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अपेक्षार्थक-अव्यय (particle: also/even)

• नारद: O Nārada
• नारद: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Vocative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नारद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन

Speaker

Brahma (narrating to Narada)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Kālabhairava

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga narrative; Brahmā explains to Nārada the manifestation of innumerable Rudra- and Bhairava-portions, each with Śiva-like prowess—an assertion of Śiva’s unlimited śakti and delegated sovereignty.

Significance: Encourages bhairava-upāsanā as protective devotion and as recognition that all fierce guardians are ultimately Śiva’s aṃśas; fosters surrender (śaraṇāgati) to the Pati beyond fear.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Kālī

Role: destructive

Ritual Elements

Offering: dhupa

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: kalpa (implicit: innumerability across cosmic cycles)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Bhairava
• Rudra
• Narada

FAQs

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

It emphasizes Shiva’s boundless, compassionate capacity to manifest innumerable forms—Rudra and Bhairava among them—so beings can approach the Supreme through suitable Saguna manifestations, ultimately leading toward liberation (moksha).

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

The Linga is the universal emblem of Shiva beyond form, while Rudra and Bhairava are powerful Saguna expressions. This verse supports Shaiva practice by affirming that worship of these forms is worship of Shiva’s own divine power and presence.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditate on Shiva as manifesting as Rudra and Bhairava while chanting the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”); for Bhairava-oriented devotion, steady japa with vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and disciplined conduct is a fitting takeaway.