Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 21

भद्रस्य दिव्यरथारोहणं शङ्खनादश्च — Bhadra’s Divine Chariot-Ascent and the Conch-Blast

Devanagari script

ततस्त्वशनिकल्पेन क्रूरास्येन महेषुणा । विव्याध गणराजस्य भुजे भुजगसन्निभे

Transliteration

tatastvaśanikalpena krūrāsyena maheṣuṇā | vivyādha gaṇarājasya bhuje bhujagasannibhe

Translation

そのとき、雷霆にも似た大いなる矢を、凶相の者が放ち、蛇のごとき腕をもつガナたちの主の腕を射貫いた。

Word by Word

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण/adverb: ‘then/from that’)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha/Emphasis (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle; contrast/emphasis)

• अशनिकल्पेन: with (one) like a thunderbolt
• अशनिकल्पेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अशनि + कल्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (अशन्या कल्पः), पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/करण), एकवचन; विशेषण

• क्रूरास्येन: with the cruel-faced (weapon)
• क्रूरास्येन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्रूर + आस्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (क्रूरम् आस्यं यस्य/क्रूरास्यः), पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• महेषुणा: with a great arrow
• महेषुणा: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महत् + इषु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (महान् इषुः), पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• विव्याध: pierced
• विव्याध: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: व्यध् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• गणराजस्य: of the king of the gaṇas
• गणराजस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध; possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गण + राज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (गणानां राजा), पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• भुजे: in/on the arm
• भुजे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भुज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• भुजगसन्निभे: resembling a serpent
• भुजगसन्निभे: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भुजग + सन्निभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (भुजगस्य सन्निभः), पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (भुजे)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra

Characters & Entities

• Ganesha

FAQs

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

The verse highlights how even the Lord of Shiva’s gaṇas faces the impact of hostile forces, yet the Shaiva teaching is to remain anchored in devotion to Pati (Shiva) and not be ruled by fear, anger, or retaliation—bondages (pāśa) that obscure right discernment.

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

By portraying the gaṇa-leela around Shiva’s retinue, it reinforces Saguna Shiva’s living presence—Shiva as the Lord with attendants and cosmic order—encouraging devotees to take refuge in Shiva’s grace, symbolized most universally in Linga-worship.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") to subdue inner aggression, along with simple Mahāśivarātri-style observances—vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and focused remembrance of Shiva’s protection over his devotees.