Shloka 10

वीरभद्र–देवयुद्धवर्णनम्

Vīrabhadra and the Battle with the Devas

Devanagari script

बलिनौ द्वावपि प्रीत्या युयुधाते परस्परम् । नानाघातांश्च कुर्वंतौ नन्दिशक्रौ जिगीषया

Transliteration

balinau dvāvapi prītyā yuyudhāte parasparam | nānāghātāṃśca kurvaṃtau nandiśakrau jigīṣayā

Translation

Kedua-duanya, yang gagah perkasa, bertempur sesama sendiri dengan rasa senang hati yang saling menghormati. Nandī dan Śakra (Indra), berhasrat akan kemenangan, saling melancarkan pelbagai pukulan.

Word by Word

• बलिनौ: (the) two strong (ones)
• बलिनौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बलिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), द्विवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

• द्वौ: two
• द्वौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; संख्यावाचक (numeral)

• अपि: also/indeed
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle: emphasis/inclusion)

• प्रीत्या: with affection
• प्रीत्या: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रीति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; हेतु/भाव-करण (by/with affection)

• युयुधाते: they two fight
• युयुधाते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: युध् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्/लिट्-सम्भाव्य न; लट् (Present/लट्), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), द्विवचन; परस्पर-युद्धक्रिया

• परस्परम्: mutually
• परस्परम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: परस्पर (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (reciprocal adverb)

• नाना-घातान्: various blows/strikes
• नाना-घातान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाना (अव्यय) + घात (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (नाना = विविध; नाना-घाताः), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन; कर्म (object)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• कुर्वन्तौ: doing/making
• कुर्वन्तौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु) → कुर्वत् (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (present active participle/शतृ), परस्मैपदी; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; कर्तृ-विशेषण (describing the two)

• नन्दि-शक्रौ: Nandin and Śakra
• नन्दि-शक्रौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नन्दि (प्रातिपदिक) + शक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास (इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; समाहारः न (two persons)

• जिगीषया: with the desire to win
• जिगीषया: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जि (धातु) → जिगीषा (प्रातिपदिक; desiderative noun)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; हेतु/प्रयोजन (with desire to conquer)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purāṇic account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account. The ‘mutual goodwill’ amid combat is a Purāṇic signal that devas and gaṇas are ultimately within one cosmic order; conflict is pedagogical, not ultimate enmity.

Significance: Encourages śānta-bhāva beneath outer struggle: even fierce events serve dharma and culminate in reconciliation under Śiva’s governance.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Satī

Role: teaching

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Cosmic sport-like battle (līlā) within divine polity

Characters & Entities

• Nandi
• Indra (Shakra)

FAQs

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

It shows that even conflict among divine beings can occur without hatred—guided by dharma and mutual respect—while emphasizing that true strength is aligned with devotion to Śiva and righteous intent, not mere ego.

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

Nandi is the foremost gaṇa and devotee who stands at Śiva’s threshold; the verse highlights Saguna Śiva’s living order—His attendants and cosmic hierarchy—reminding devotees that reverence for Śiva includes honoring His symbols and attendants, especially Nandi before approaching the Liṅga.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Cultivate disciplined self-control (yama–niyama) and offer ego into devotion: begin Liṅga worship by saluting Nandi, then chant the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with steady breath, transforming competitive impulses into focused spiritual striving.