Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 33

युद्धप्रारम्भवर्णनम् — Description of the Commencement of Battle

Devanagari script

अथाभूद्द्वंद्वयुद्धं हि सुरासुरविमर्दनम् । यं दृष्ट्वा हर्षिता वीराः क्लीबाश्च भयमागता

Transliteration

athābhūddvaṃdvayuddhaṃ hi surāsuravimardanam | yaṃ dṛṣṭvā harṣitā vīrāḥ klībāśca bhayamāgatā

Translation

Então irrompeu um duelo feroz—um combate esmagador entre os devas e os asuras. Ao vê-lo, os valentes encheram-se de júbilo, enquanto os covardes foram tomados pelo medo.

Word by Word

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/sequence)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable), अनुक्रम/समयान्वय (then)

• अभूत्: arose, happened
• अभूत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लुङ्-लकार (Aorist), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular), परस्मैपद

• द्वन्द्वयुद्धम्: a duel, single combat
• द्वन्द्वयुद्धम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वन्द्व + युद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular); समासः—तत्पुरुषः (द्वन्द्वं यत् युद्धम् = duel)

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), हेत्वर्थ/बलार्थ (indeed/for)

• सुरासुरविमर्दनम्: crushing of gods and demons
• सुरासुरविमर्दनम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर + असुर + विमर्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular); समासः—द्वन्द्व (सुर+असुर) ततः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सुरासुराणां विमर्दनम्)

• यम्: which (that)
• यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular), सम्बन्ध-प्रत्यय (relative pronoun)

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Kriyā (क्रिया-पूर्वक)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव (indeclinable); पूर्वकाले (having seen)

• हर्षिताः: delighted
• हर्षिताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हर्षित (प्रातिपदिक; क्त-प्रत्यय from हृष्)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (plural); विशेषण

• वीराः: heroes, warriors
• वीराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (plural)

• क्लीबाः: cowards, impotent ones
• क्लीबाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्लीब (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (plural)

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

• भयम्: fear
• भयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular)

• आगताः: came, became (overtaken)
• आगताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + गम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्यय (past passive participle), पुल्लिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (plural); उपसर्गः आ-

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Asuras

FAQs

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

The verse contrasts vīratā (steadfast courage) with klibatā (timidity), pointing to an inner spiritual truth: when dharma is challenged, the disciplined and devoted mind becomes resolute, while an undisciplined mind collapses into fear. In Shaiva thought, such fear is a pasha (bond) that is overcome through grace and right orientation to Pati (Śiva).

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

Though the verse describes an outer devas–asuras clash, it mirrors inner worship: approaching Saguna Śiva (as protector and lord of dharma) steadies the devotee in conflict. Linga-worship symbolizes anchoring consciousness in Śiva, so the ‘battle’ becomes a movement from agitation to centeredness rather than panic.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to cultivate fearlessness through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and steady daily Śiva-upāsanā; these Shaiva disciplines train the mind to remain vīra-like (firm) when confronted by turmoil.