Shloka 44

Śumbha–Niśumbha-pīḍā and Devastuti to Durgā/Śivā

Names and Forms of the Devī

Devanagari script

अथ दूतोक्तमाकर्ण्य शुंभो भैरवशासनः । धूम्राक्षं प्राह सक्रोधः सेनान्यं बलिनां वरम्

Transliteration

atha dūtoktamākarṇya śuṃbho bhairavaśāsanaḥ | dhūmrākṣaṃ prāha sakrodhaḥ senānyaṃ balināṃ varam

Translation

そのとき、恐るべきバイラヴァの命により統べるシュンバは、使者の報告を聞くや怒り、軍勢の総将にして勇力の第一たるドゥームラークシャに告げた。

Word by Word

• अथ: then
• अथ: सम्बन्ध/प्रसङ्गसूचक (Discourse connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रमसूचक/आरम्भार्थक (particle/adverb: then/now)

• दूत-उक्तम्: the messenger’s message
• दूत-उक्तम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दूत (प्रातिपदिक) + उक्त (कृदन्त, √वच्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (दूतस्य उक्तम् = messenger's statement)

• आकर्ण्य: having heard
• आकर्ण्य: पूर्वकालक्रिया (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + √कर्ण्/√कृ (धातु; ‘to hear’) (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund/absolutive); ‘having heard’

• शुम्भः: Śumbha
• शुम्भः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुम्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (कर्ता), एकवचन

• भैरव-शासनः: (he) of fierce command / Bhairava-like ruler
• भैरव-शासनः: कर्ता-विशेषण (Appositional epithet of subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भैरव (प्रातिपदिक) + शासन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (भैरवस्य शासनः = one who rules like Bhairava / Bhairava’s ruler)

• धूम्राक्षम्: Dhūmrākṣa
• धूम्राक्षम्: सम्प्रदान/आह्वान-लक्ष्य (Addressee as object of calling)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूम्राक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

• प्राह: said
• प्राह: क्रिया (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √अह्/√ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (परोक्षभूत/Perfect); प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• स-क्रोधः: angry
• स-क्रोधः: कर्ता-विशेषण (Qualifier of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (उपसर्गसदृश/सह) + क्रोध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (क्रोधेन सह = angry)

• सेनान्यम्: the commander
• सेनान्यम्: कर्म (Object; whom he addressed/ordered)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सेनानी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

• बलिनाम्: of the strong
• बलिनाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बलिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन

• वरम्: the best
• वरम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘श्रेष्ठम्’ (superlative sense)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the episode to the sages, as is typical of Purana narration)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Characters & Entities

• Shumbha
• Bhairava
• Dhumraksha

FAQs

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

It shows the movement of pāśa (bondage) through pride and anger: Śuṃbha reacts from egoic control, while Shaiva Siddhanta frames liberation as turning from such impulses toward surrender to Pati (Śiva), the true Lord.

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

The epithet “bhairavaśāsana” points to Saguna Śiva as Bhairava—the cosmic governor who restrains disorder. Linga/Saguna worship centers the devotee on that higher sovereignty rather than worldly power and command.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to counter anger with japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and mindful restraint; remembering Bhairava as the inner governor supports self-control and devotion.