Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 11

रुद्राविर्भावकारणम् — Causes and Pattern of Rudra’s Manifestation

Pratikalpa

Devanagari script

महावृषभनिर्याणो महाजलदनिःस्वनः । महानलसमप्रख्यो महाबलपराक्रमः

Transliteration

mahāvṛṣabhaniryāṇo mahājaladaniḥsvanaḥ | mahānalasamaprakhyo mahābalaparākramaḥ

Translation

大いなる牡牛ナンディンを乗り物として進み、その咆哮は巨大な雷雲の轟きのごとく響き渡る。大火の輝きのように光り、力と武勇は量り知れない。

Word by Word

• mahā-vṛṣabha-niryāṇaḥ: having a mighty bull-like advance/gait
• mahā-vṛṣabha-niryāṇaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + vṛṣabha (प्रातिपदिक) + niryāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: विशेषण, पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘महान् वृषभ-निर्याणः’ (having a great bull-like gait/advance)

• mahā-jalada-niḥsvanaḥ: roaring like a great cloud
• mahā-jalada-niḥsvanaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + jalada (प्रातिपदिक) + niḥsvana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: विशेषण, पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘महाजलदस्य निःस्वन इव निःस्वनः’ (thunderous like a great cloud)

• mahā-anala-sama-prakhyaḥ: like a great fire in appearance
• mahā-anala-sama-prakhyaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + anala (प्रातिपदिक) + sama (प्रातिपदिक) + prakhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: विशेषण, पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘महानलेन समः प्रख्यः’ (renowned/appearing like great fire)

• mahā-bala-parākramaḥ: of great strength and valor
• mahā-bala-parākramaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + bala (प्रातिपदिक) + parākrama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: विशेषण, पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः—‘महच्च तत् बलं च पराक्रमश्च’/‘महाबलः पराक्रमः यस्य’ (mighty strength and valor)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Nandi

FAQs

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

The verse meditates on Shiva’s palpable (saguṇa) majesty—his mount Nandi, his thunderous presence, and fire-like radiance—so the devotee’s mind becomes steady in awe and devotion, opening the path toward grace (anugraha) and liberation.

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

These epithets train the devotee to contemplate Shiva with form and qualities (saguṇa), which supports Linga-worship by giving concrete attributes—power, radiance, and protection—to focus the heart and mind during pūjā and japa.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

During Linga-pūjā or Mahāśivarātri worship, recite the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") while visualizing Shiva as Nandinātha—thunder-voiced and fire-bright—then offer vibhūti (tripuṇḍra remembrance) as a sign of surrender.