Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 17

वीरभद्र–देवयुद्धवर्णनम्

Vīrabhadra and the Battle with the Devas

Devanagari script

योगिनीचक्रसंयुक्तो भैरवीनायको महान् । विदीर्य्य देवानखिलान्पपौ शोणितमद्भुतम्

Transliteration

yoginīcakrasaṃyukto bhairavīnāyako mahān | vidīryya devānakhilānpapau śoṇitamadbhutam

Translation

ヨーギニーの輪と相応して、バイラヴィーの大いなる主は諸天をことごとく引き裂き、驚異の血を飲み干した――それは主の恐るべくも護り給う力の、畏怖すべき顕現であった。

Word by Word

• योगिनी-चक्र-संयुक्तः: joined with the circle of yoginīs
• योगिनी-चक्र-संयुक्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: योगिनी (प्रातिपदिक) + चक्र (प्रातिपदिक) + संयुक्त (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः—‘योगिनीचक्रेण/योगिनीचक्रे संयुक्तः’

• भैरवी-नायकः: leader of the Bhairavīs
• भैरवी-नायकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भैरवी (प्रातिपदिक) + नायक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—‘भैरव्याः नायकः’

• महान्: great
• महान्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन; विशेषण

• विदीर्य्य: having torn apart
• विदीर्य्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: विदॄ (धातु) → विदीर्य (कृदन्त, ल्यप्/क्त्वा-समकक्ष)
• Form: अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund-like), ‘having split/tearing’

• देवान्: the gods
• देवान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2 विभक्ति), बहुवचन

• अखिलान्: all/entire
• अखिलान्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अखिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2 विभक्ति), बहुवचन; विशेषण (देवान्)

• पपौ: drank
• पपौ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पा (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• शोणितम्: blood
• शोणितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शोणित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2 विभक्ति), एकवचन

• अद्भुतम्: marvelous/wondrous
• अद्भुतम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अद्भुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2 विभक्ति), एकवचन; विशेषण (शोणितम्)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya, Rudra Samhita narrative flow)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Kālabhairava

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Kālī

Role: destructive

Characters & Entities

• Yoginis
• Bhairavis
• Devas

FAQs

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

It portrays the irresistible, wrathful aspect of Śiva’s divine agency working through Śakti-hosts (Yoginīs/Bhairavīs) to restore dharma—showing that the Lord’s “terrible” form is also protective and corrective when sacred order is violated.

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

The verse emphasizes Saguna Śiva—God with form and power—manifesting as fierce, world-protecting energy. In Linga worship, devotees revere the same Lord as both gentle refuge and formidable guardian who removes adharma.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is steadfast japa of the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with purity and restraint, along with Śaiva markers like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrāksha as reminders of Śiva’s protection and discipline over the senses.