Shloka 8

वीरभद्र-भैरव-आह्वानम् — Invocation of Vīrabhadra/Bhairava for Cosmic Reabsorption

Devanagari script

महाप्रचण्डहुङ्कारबधिरीकृतदिङ्मुखः । नीलमेघाञ्जन श्यामो भीषणः श्मश्रुलोद्भुतः

Transliteration

mahāpracaṇḍahuṅkārabadhirīkṛtadiṅmukhaḥ | nīlameghāñjana śyāmo bhīṣaṇaḥ śmaśrulodbhutaḥ

Translation

മഹാപ്രചണ്ഡമായ ഹുങ്കാരത്തിൽ ദിക്കുകളുടെ മുഖങ്ങൾ ബധിരമായി; നീലമേഘവും അഞ്ജനവും പോലെ ശ്യാമവർണ്ണൻ, ഭീഷണരൂപൻ, അത്ഭുതമായ താടി-മീശയോടെ അവൻ പ്രത്യക്ഷപ്പെട്ടു।

Word by Word

• महाप्रचण्ड-हुङ्कार-बधिरीकृत-दिङ्मुखः: whose fierce roar deafened the directions
• महाप्रचण्ड-हुङ्कार-बधिरीकृत-दिङ्मुखः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाप्रचण्ड (प्रातिपदिक) + हुङ्कार (प्रातिपदिक) + बधिरीकृत (कृदन्त) + दिक् (प्रातिपदिक) + मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—‘यस्य महाप्रचण्डहुङ्कारः दिङ्मुखानि बधिरीकृतवान्’ (whose very fierce roar has deafened the quarters’ faces/directions)

• नील-मेघ-अञ्जन-श्यामः: dark like a blue cloud/collyrium
• नील-मेघ-अञ्जन-श्यामः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नील (प्रातिपदिक) + मेघ (प्रातिपदिक) + अञ्जन (प्रातिपदिक) + श्याम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः—नीलमेघवत् अञ्जनवत् श्यामः (dark like a blue cloud and collyrium)

• भीषणः: terrible
• भीषणः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भीषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• श्मश्रु-लोद्भुतः: with prominent moustache/beard
• श्मश्रु-लोद्भुतः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्मश्रु (प्रातिपदिक) + उद्भूत (कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—श्मश्रुणः उद्भुतः (with moustache/beard grown out)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Śarabheśvara

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse portrays Rudra’s overwhelming presence: His huṃkāra silences all directions, symbolizing the soul’s ego and distractions being stunned into stillness before Pati (Shiva), the supreme Lord who alone remains as the ultimate refuge.

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

It emphasizes Saguna Shiva—Shiva with form and attributes—whose awe-inspiring manifestations purify fear and pride, guiding the devotee toward surrender; such contemplation supports Linga-worship by focusing the mind on Shiva as the all-pervading yet personally approachable Lord.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditate on Rudra’s form while repeating the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with steady breath; offer Tripuṇḍra bhasma and/or wear rudrākṣa as reminders of surrender to Shiva’s protective power even in His fierce aspects.