Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 31

देवपराजयः — शङ्करशरणागमनं स्कन्दकालीयुद्धं च | Devas’ Defeat, Refuge in Śaṅkara, and the Battle of Skanda and Kālī

Devanagari script

वह्निं निवारयामास पार्जन्येन शरेण ह । रथं धनुश्च चिच्छेद शंखचूडस्य लीलया

Transliteration

vahniṃ nivārayāmāsa pārjanyena śareṇa ha | rathaṃ dhanuśca ciccheda śaṃkhacūḍasya līlayā

Translation

ବର୍ଷା ଝରାଇବା ଶରଦ୍ୱାରା ସେ ଜ୍ୱଳନ୍ତ ଅଗ୍ନିକୁ ନିବାରିଲା; ଏବଂ ଲୀଳାମାତ୍ରେ ଶଂଖଚୂଡର ରଥ ଓ ଧନୁଷକୁ ଭାଙ୍ଗିଦେଲା।

Word by Word

• वह्निम्: fire
• वह्निम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वह्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• निवारयामास: restrained/checked
• निवारयामास: क्रिया (Main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि + वṛ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Periphrastic Perfect/परस्मैपद), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; causative sense ‘to restrain’ (निवारयति)

• पार्जन्येन: rain-bearing (Parjanya-like)
• पार्जन्येन: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पार्जन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying ‘शरेण’)

• शरेण: with an arrow
• शरेण: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन

• ह: indeed (expletive)
• ह: निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ह (अव्यय)
• Form: पादपूरण/निपात (particle; metrical/expletive)

• रथम्: chariot
• रथम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• धनुः: bow
• धनुः: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धनुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; पदान्त-रुत्व/विसर्गरूप ‘धनुः’

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Coordinator)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• चिच्छेद: cut/broke
• चिच्छेद: क्रिया (Main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: छिद् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• शंखचूडस्य: of Śaṅkhacūḍa
• शंखचूडस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शंखचूड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः ‘शंख इव चूडः यस्य’ (proper name)

• लीलया: playfully/with ease
• लीलया: करण/रीति (Instrument/Manner)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लीला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahadeva

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Elemental mastery motif: fire checked by rain (agni–āp interplay), echoing cosmic balance rather than mere destruction.

Characters & Entities

• Śaṅkhacūḍa

FAQs

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

The verse portrays the defeat of destructive, ego-driven force (symbolized by fire and war-gear) through a higher, grace-filled power acting without strain. In Shaiva Siddhanta, this reflects Pati (the Lord) subduing the pasha-like forces that bind the soul—pride, violence, and delusion—so the path of dharma can prevail.

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

The ‘playful’ ease (līlā) highlights Saguna Shiva’s accessible lordship—He acts within form and story to protect devotees and restore order. Linga worship trains the mind to see the same supreme Lord behind all powers (fire, rain, weapons), and to rely on Shiva’s grace rather than one’s own might.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—to ‘cool’ inner heat (anger, agitation) and cut through ego. On Mahāśivarātri or daily practice, combine mantra-japa with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) remembrance of impermanence and surrender to Shiva’s protective grace.