Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 18

शिवदूतगमनानन्तरं शङ्खचूडस्य तुलसीसम्भाषणं युद्धप्रस्थान-तत्परता च / After Śiva’s Messenger Departs: Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Counsel with Tulasī and Readiness for War

Devanagari script

त्रिलक्षाक्षौहिणीयुक्तो मांडल्यं च चकार ह । बहिर्बभूव शिबिराद्रणे वीरभयङ्करः

Transliteration

trilakṣākṣauhiṇīyukto māṃḍalyaṃ ca cakāra ha | bahirbabhūva śibirādraṇe vīrabhayaṅkaraḥ

Translation

ତିନି ଲକ୍ଷ ଅକ୍ଷୌହିଣୀ ସେନାରେ ସଂଯୁକ୍ତ ହୋଇ ସେ ମାଣ୍ଡଲ୍ୟ (ବୃତ୍ତାକାର) ବ୍ୟୂହ ରଚିଲା; ପରେ ଶିବିରରୁ ବାହାରି ରଣଭୂମିରେ ଶତ୍ରୁବୀରମାନଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଭୟଙ୍କର ହେଲା।

Word by Word

• त्रिलक्षाक्षौहिणीयुक्तः: endowed with three lakh akṣauhiṇīs
• त्रिलक्षाक्षौहिणीयुक्तः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि + लक्ष + अक्षौहिणी + युक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (त्रिलक्ष-अक्षौहिणी-युक्तः = त्रिलक्षाक्षौहिण्याः युक्तः)

• माण्डल्यम्: a circular formation/encampment arrangement
• माण्डल्यम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माण्डल्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

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

• चकार: made/formed
• चकार: Kriya (क्रिया/Verbal action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• ह: indeed
• ह: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ह (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle; emphasis/indeed)

• बहिः: outside
• बहिः: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/locative sense—direction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: बहिः (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb)

• बभूव: became/appeared
• बभूव: Kriya (क्रिया/Verbal action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• शिबिरात्: from the camp
• शिबिरात्: Apadana (अपादान/Source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिबिर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन

• रणे: in battle
• रणे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• वीरभयङ्करः: terrifying to heroes
• वीरभयङ्करः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वीर + भयङ्कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—चतुर्थी/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषवत् (वीराणां भयङ्करः = terrifying to heroes)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra

FAQs

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

Even in a war setting, the Purana highlights dharma and disciplined order: the “mandala” formation signifies controlled power, where force is governed by purpose—echoing Shaiva Siddhanta’s emphasis that true strength serves cosmic order under the Lord (Pati).

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

The verse portrays Saguna dynamics—visible action, leadership, and protection in the world. In Linga worship, devotees internalize this principle: the same Lord who is worshipped as the Linga also manifests as the upholder of order, granting steadiness and fearlessness amid life’s battles.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is cultivating fearlessness and inner order through japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and mental “mandala-like” containment of the senses—keeping one’s energies organized rather than scattered.