Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 10

दुन्दुभिनिर्ह्रादनिर्णयः / Dundubhinirhrāda’s Stratagem: Targeting the Brāhmaṇas

Devanagari script

निश्चितं ब्राह्मणाधारास्सर्वे वेदास्सवासवाः । गीर्वाणा ब्राह्मणबला नात्र कार्या विचारणा

Transliteration

niścitaṃ brāhmaṇādhārāssarve vedāssavāsavāḥ | gīrvāṇā brāhmaṇabalā nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

Translation

निश्चितच सर्व वेद इंद्रादि देवांसह ब्राह्मणांच्या आधारावर स्थित आहेत. देवगणही ब्राह्मणबळानेच बलवान आहेत—यात शंका वा विचार करण्याचे कारण नाही.

Word by Word

• निश्चितम्: certainly/it is settled
• निश्चितम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: निश्चित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; नि-√चि/√चित्, past participle)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; भावे प्रयोगः (adverbial accusative: 'certainly')

• ब्राह्मण-आधाराः: supported by Brahmins
• ब्राह्मण-आधाराः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक) + आधार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (ब्राह्मणानाम् आधारः)

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण

• वेदाः: Vedas
• वेदाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• स-वसवाः: together with the Vasus
• स-वसवाः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (अव्यय/उपसर्गसदृश) + वसु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; अव्ययीभाव (सह वसुभिः/वसुसहिताः)

• गीर्वाणाः: the gods (gīrvāṇas)
• गीर्वाणाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गीर्वाण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• ब्राह्मण-बलाः: strong due to Brahmins / having Brahmins as strength
• ब्राह्मण-बलाः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक) + बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (ब्राह्मणानां बलम्/बलवन्तः ब्राह्मणैः)

• न: not
• न: Pratishedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध-निपात (negation particle)

• अत्र: here/in this matter
• अत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक क्रियाविशेषण

• कार्या: to be done/necessary
• कार्या: Vidhaya (विधेय/necessity)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कार्य (प्रातिपदिक; from √कृ, gerundive sense)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण (to be done)

• विचारणा: deliberation/inquiry
• विचारणा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विचारणा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Characters & Entities

• Indra
• Devas
• Vedas
• Brahmanas

FAQs

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

The verse asserts that spiritual authority (Vedic dharma upheld by disciplined Brāhmaṇas) is the unseen foundation that sustains even divine powers; in Shaiva understanding, this dharma ultimately serves devotion to Pati (Śiva) and the order that leads beings toward liberation.

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

Linga and Saguna-Śiva worship in the Shiva Purana is traditionally grounded in Vedic and āgamic discipline; by praising the Brāhmaṇas as the support of the Vedas and Devas, the text emphasizes that correct ritual, mantra, and dharma-based conduct protect and empower Śiva-bhakti.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is to honor dharma and qualified teachers/priests, and to perform Śiva-pūjā with mantra and purity—especially steady japa of the Panchākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and respectful observance of prescribed rites.