Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 18

शुक्रनिग्रहः — The Seizure/Neutralization of Śukra (Kāvya) and the Daityas’ Despondency

Devanagari script

अयशस्तमसा ख्यातिं मलिनीकृत्य भूरिशः । इहामुत्रापि सुखिनो न स्युर्भग्ना रणाजिरे

Transliteration

ayaśastamasā khyātiṃ malinīkṛtya bhūriśaḥ | ihāmutrāpi sukhino na syurbhagnā raṇājire

Translation

ହେ ମହାବଳୀ! ରଣଭୂମିରେ ଭଙ୍ଗ ହୋଇ ପଳାଇଥିବା ଲୋକେ ଅପଯଶର ଅନ୍ଧକାରରେ ନିଜ ଖ୍ୟାତିକୁ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ମଲିନ କରନ୍ତି; ତେଣୁ ସେମାନେ ଇହଲୋକରେ ମଧ୍ୟ ସୁଖୀ ନୁହେଁ, ପରଲୋକରେ ମଧ୍ୟ ନୁହେଁ।

Word by Word

• ayaśas-tamasā: by the darkness of disgrace
• ayaśas-tamasā: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: a-yaśas (प्रातिपदिक) + tamas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (अयशसः तमसा)

• khyātim: fame
• khyātim: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: khyāti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• malinīkṛtya: having sullied
• malinīkṛtya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/gerundial modifier)
• Type: Verb
• Root: malinī-√kṛ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्यय; ‘having sullied/made impure’

• bhūriśaḥ: greatly / many times
• bhūriśaḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/adverb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: bhūriśas (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययप्राय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb); अर्थे—‘बहुशः/अत्यन्तम्’

• iha: here (in this world)
• iha: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iha (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक (locative adverb)

• amutra: there (in the next world)
• amutra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: amutra (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक (locative adverb)

• api: also
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle: ‘also/even’)

• sukhinaḥ: happy
• sukhinaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sukhin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• na: not
• na: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध/negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध (negation particle)

• syuḥ: would be / may be
• syuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया/verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √as (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• bhagnāḥ: defeated/broken
• bhagnāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √bhaj (धातु)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; अर्थे—‘पराजिताः/भङ्गिताः’

• raṇa-ājire: in the battlefield
• raṇa-ājire: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: raṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + ājira (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (रणस्य आजिरे)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Yuddha-khanda account to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

FAQs

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

The verse treats dishonor (ayaśas) as a darkening force that clouds one’s inner clarity and social-spiritual standing, implying that dharmic conduct and steadfastness are supports for peace of mind in both worldly life and the afterlife.

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

While not directly about Linga worship, it aligns with Saguna Shiva’s role as the upholder of dharma: devotion to Shiva is traditionally paired with righteous conduct, because inner purity and honor sustain a mind fit for bhakti and Shiva-anugraha (grace).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to cultivate dhairya (steadfastness) with Shiva-japa—especially the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and maintain śauca (purity) through simple Shaiva observances such as vibhuti (Tripundra) and daily remembrance of Shiva before undertaking difficult duties.