Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 31

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

Devanagari script

यांतमायांतमालोक्य दूरस्थं निकटस्थितम् । प्रत्येकं रोमसंख्याभिर्विव्याधेषुभिरन्धकः

Transliteration

yāṃtamāyāṃtamālokya dūrasthaṃ nikaṭasthitam | pratyekaṃ romasaṃkhyābhirvivyādheṣubhirandhakaḥ

Translation

ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਕਦੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਵਧਦਾ, ਕਦੇ ਪਿੱਛੇ ਹਟਦਾ, ਕਦੇ ਦੂਰ ਤੇ ਕਦੇ ਨੇੜੇ ਵੇਖ ਕੇ, ਅੰਧਕ ਨੇ ਸਰੀਰ ਦੇ ਰੋਮਾਂ ਜਿੰਨੀ ਅਣਗਿਣਤ ਤੀਰਾਂ ਨਾਲ, ਹਰ ਇੱਕ ਨੂੰ ਵੱਖਰਾ ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨਾ ਬਣਾ ਕੇ, ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਵੇਧ ਦਿੱਤਾ।

Word by Word

• यान्तम्: going
• यान्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान कृदन्त (Present active participle) शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त; पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसक (सन्दर्भे), द्वितीया, एकवचन

• आयान्तम्: coming
• आयान्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-या (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान कृदन्त (Present active participle) शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त; उपसर्ग: आ-; द्वितीया, एकवचन

• आलोक्य: having observed/seen
• आलोक्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-लोक् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive), धातु: लोक्, उपसर्ग: आ-

• दूरस्थम्: standing far away
• दूरस्थम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दूर (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसक, द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; समास: तत्पुरुष — ‘दूरे स्थित’

• निकटस्थितम्: standing near
• निकटस्थितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निकट (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थित (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसक, द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; समास: तत्पुरुष — ‘निकटे स्थित’

• प्रत्येकम्: each, individually
• प्रत्येकम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रति + एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्ययत्वेन प्रयोग (indeclinable adverb) — ‘one by one/each’

• रोम-संख्याभिः: by (arrows) as numerous as hairs
• रोम-संख्याभिः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रोम (प्रातिपदिक) + संख्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन; समास: तत्पुरुष — ‘रोम्णां संख्या’ (as many as hairs)

• विव्याध: pierced
• विव्याध: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-व्यध् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; उपसर्ग: वि-

• इषुभिः: with arrows
• इषुभिः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इषु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन

• अन्धकः: Andhaka
• अन्धकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्धक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Rudra

Characters & Entities

• Andhaka

FAQs

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

Andhaka’s countless arrows symbolize the relentless assaults of avidyā (spiritual blindness) and ego upon the divine order; the episode highlights that darkness attacks even when the Lord’s movements appear near or far, yet such aggression cannot ultimately overcome Pati (Shiva) who transcends all conditions.

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

In the battle narrative, the Lord is encountered as Saguna—active, visible, and responsive—showing devotees that Shiva’s grace can be approached in a personal form even amid conflict; the Linga-worship tradition remembers Shiva as both immanent (near) and transcendent (far), echoing the verse’s ‘distant and near’ imagery.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is steadiness in japa despite mental ‘volleys’ of distraction—especially Panchākṣarī mantra japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with Tripuṇḍra and Rudrākṣa—maintaining unwavering devotion when the mind swings between closeness and distance from the Divine.