Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 58

विष्णु-ब्रह्म-विवाद-वर्णनम्

Description of the Viṣṇu–Brahmā Dispute and Brahmā’s Confusion

Devanagari script

ह्रस्वपादं विचित्रांगं जैत्रं दृढमनौपमम् । वाराहाकारमास्थाय गतवांस्तदधौ जवात्

Transliteration

hrasvapādaṃ vicitrāṃgaṃ jaitraṃ dṛḍhamanaupamam | vārāhākāramāsthāya gatavāṃstadadhau javāt

Translation

Assumindo a forma de Varāha—o javali—de patas curtas, de membros maravilhosos, invencível, firme e incomparável, ele desceu velozmente para baixo, às profundezas inferiores.

Word by Word

• ह्रस्व-पादम्: short-footed (form)
• ह्रस्व-पादम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ह्रस्व + पाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (ह्रस्वः पादः यस्य/ह्रस्वः पादः)

• विचित्र-अङ्गम्: having wondrous limbs
• विचित्र-अङ्गम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विचित्र + अङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास

• जैत्रम्: victorious
• जैत्रम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जैत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• दृढम्: firm, strong
• दृढम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दृढ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• अनौपमम्: incomparable
• अनौपमम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्-उपम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; नञ्-तत्पुरुष-समास (न उपमम्)

• वाराह-आकारम्: the form of a boar
• वाराह-आकारम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाराह + आकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (वाराहस्य आकारः)

• आस्थाय: having assumed
• आस्थाय: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया/Absolutive)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-√स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Gerund/Absolutive), अव्ययभाव; पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having assumed)

• गतवान्: went, proceeded
• गतवान्: Kriya (क्रिया/Finite sense via participle)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √गम् + क्तवत् (धातु) (कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्तवत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (perfect participle, active sense)

• तत्: that (place/thing)
• तत्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• अधः: downwards
• अधः: Gati (गति/Directional)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अधः (अव्यय)
• Form: दिशावाचक अव्यय (adverb of direction: downward)

• जवात्: swiftly
• जवात्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी, एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषण-प्रयोग (ablative of manner: 'swiftly')

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Liṅgodbhava

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Episode belongs to the Liṅgodbhava motif: Viṣṇu assumes Varāha-form to seek the base of the endless fiery Liṅga, demonstrating the Lord’s transcendence beyond the gods’ measures.

Significance: Contemplation of the ananta-liṅga (endless column) cultivates humility and turns the bound soul (paśu) from measuring the Absolute to seeking Śiva’s anugraha.

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Theophany of the endless Liṅga prompting a cosmic quest into the nether regions.

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu (Varaha)

FAQs

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

It highlights divine grace acting swiftly in the cosmos: the Supreme allows saguna manifestations to restore balance, showing that protecting dharma and creation can require decisive, compassionate intervention.

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

Though the scene describes a boar-form (a saguna manifestation), the Shiva Purana frames such forms as functional revelations of the One Reality; likewise, the Linga is worshipped as a tangible focus through which devotees approach the transcendent Shiva.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Contemplate the Lord’s protective swiftness while japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—cultivating steady faith that divine aid arises when dharma and inner order are upheld.