Shloka 6

Śumbha–Niśumbha’s Mobilization After Devī’s Victories

Battle Muster and Omens

Devanagari script

प्रसादयामास मृदंगमर्दलं सभेरिकाडिण्डिमझर्झरानकम् । रणस्थले संजहृषू रणप्रिया असुप्रियाः संगरतः पराययुः

Transliteration

prasādayāmāsa mṛdaṃgamardalaṃ sabherikāḍiṇḍimajharjharānakam | raṇasthale saṃjahṛṣū raṇapriyā asupriyāḥ saṃgarataḥ parāyayuḥ

Translation

ರಣಸ್ಥಳದಲ್ಲಿ ಭೇರಿ, ಮೃದಂಗ, ಮರ್ಧಲ, ನಗಾರಾ, ಡಿಂಡಿಮ, ಝರ್ಝರ, ಆನಕಗಳು ಹರ್ಷದಿಂದ ಮೊಳಗಿದವು। ಯುದ್ಧಪ್ರಿಯರು ಉಲ್ಲಾಸಗೊಂಡರು; ಪ್ರಾಣಪ್ರಿಯರು (ಮರಣಭೀತರು) ಸಂಘರ್ಷದಿಂದ ಓಡಿ ಹೋದರು।

Word by Word

• prasādayāmāsa: made resound, caused to sound
• prasādayāmāsa: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-sad (धातु) + ṇic (णिच् causative)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Singular; parasmaipada; causative sense 'caused to sound/please' (context: made resound)

• mṛdaṅga-mardalam: the mṛdaṅga and mardala drums
• mṛdaṅga-mardalam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mṛdaṅga (प्रातिपदिक) + mardala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; pair of drums as a set

• sa-bherikā-ḍiṇḍima-jharjhara-ānakam: together with bherikā, ḍiṇḍima, jharjhara, and ānaka (drums)
• sa-bherikā-ḍiṇḍima-jharjhara-ānakam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sa (अव्यय) + bherikā (प्रातिपदिक) + ḍiṇḍima (प्रातिपदिक) + jharjhara (प्रातिपदिक) + ānaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; avyayībhāva 'together with'; list of instruments

• raṇa-sthale: on the battlefield
• raṇa-sthale: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: raṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + sthala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• saṃ-jahṛṣuḥ: rejoiced greatly
• saṃ-jahṛṣuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: hṛṣ (धातु) + saṃ (उपसर्ग)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Plural; parasmaipada

• raṇa-priyāḥ: battle-lovers
• raṇa-priyāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: raṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + priya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural; 'fond of battle'

• asu-priyāḥ: life-lovers
• asu-priyāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asu (प्रातिपदिक) + priya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural; 'fond of life/breath' i.e., life-loving

• saṃgarataḥ: from the battle
• saṃgarataḥ: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṃgara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Ablative (पञ्चमी), Singular; source/separation

• parāyayuḥ: fled away, retreated
• parāyayuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: i (धातु) + parā (उपसर्ग)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Plural; parasmaipada

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Tryambakeśvara

Sthala Purana: Not a direct sthala episode; the verse’s emphasis on battlefield sound (percussion, ānaka, bherī) can be read alongside Tryambaka’s association with the Mahāmṛtyuñjaya current (sound/recitation in the face of death), as a thematic—not textual—link.

Significance: Protection from fear of death and cultivation of steadiness amid peril (mṛtyu-bhaya-nivṛtti).

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Kālī

Role: destructive

FAQs

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

It contrasts two inner dispositions: the courageous mind that meets duty without trembling, and the fear-bound mind attached to mere survival. In Shaiva thought, clinging to the body (pāśa—bondage) produces flight and confusion, while steadiness and dharma-oriented resolve support clarity and spiritual maturity.

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

Though not explicitly about the Liṅga, the verse reflects a key Saguna-Shiva principle: the Lord as the inner ruler of courage and fear. Worship of Shiva—especially through devotion and surrender—purifies tamas and fear, turning the mind from panic toward steadfastness in dharma.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is fear-transcending japa: repeat the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with steady breath to calm agitation and cultivate inner courage and detachment during turmoil.