Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 41

राहोर्विमोचनानन्तरं जलन्धरस्य सैन्योद्योगः — Rahu’s Aftermath and Jalandhara’s Mobilization

Devanagari script

समादिदेश संख्याय स्वगणान्स महाबलान् । नंद्यादिकान्महादेवो महोतिः कौतुकी हरः

Transliteration

samādideśa saṃkhyāya svagaṇānsa mahābalān | naṃdyādikānmahādevo mahotiḥ kautukī haraḥ

Translation

Então Mahādeva—Hara, poderoso em esplendor e movido por zelo deliberado—ordenou aos seus próprios gaṇas, de força imensa, chefiados por Nandin, que se dispusessem com ordem em fileiras contadas.

Word by Word

• समादिदेश: commanded, ordered
• समादिदेश: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + दिश् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect); प्रथमपुरुष; एकवचन; परस्मैपद; उपसर्गः सम्+आ

• संख्याय: by counting / in due number
• संख्याय: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संख्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; तृतीया विभक्ति (Instrumental) एकवचन; ‘by count/number’ (manner/instrument)

• स्व-गणान्: his own gaṇas (attendants)
• स्व-गणान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति; बहुवचन; ‘his own troops/attendants’

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति; एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• महा-बलान्: very strong
• महा-बलान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति; बहुवचन; विशेषणम् स्वगणान्-शब्दस्य

• नन्दि-आदिकान्: Nandin and others
• नन्दि-आदिकान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नन्दि (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति; बहुवचन; ‘नन्द्यादयः’ (Nandin and others)

• महादेवः: Mahādeva
• महादेवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति; एकवचन; शिवस्य नाम

• महोतिः: great protector/helper
• महोतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + ऊति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (प्रयोगे); प्रथमा विभक्ति; एकवचन; ‘महान् ऊतिः/सहायः’ इति भावः (great helper/protector)

• कौतुकī: playful, eager (for sport)
• कौतुकī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कौतुकिन्/कौतुक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति; एकवचन; विशेषणम् (one who is eager/curious, playful)

• हरः: Hara (Śiva)
• हरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति; एकवचन; शिवस्य नाम

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Mahadeva
• Hara
• Nandi

FAQs

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

It shows Saguna Śiva as the supreme Lord (Pati) who brings order to his powers (gaṇas): divine will is not chaotic but disciplined, directed, and purposeful—guiding devotees toward dharma and protection.

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

In Liṅga/Saguna worship, devotees approach Śiva as the living Lord who governs the cosmos. Here, Mahādeva’s command over Nandin and the gaṇas reflects his sovereign lordship that the Liṅga signifies—steady, centered authority from which all divine functions proceed.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A takeaway is disciplined japa and inner “arrangement” of the senses: perform pañcākṣarī japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with ordered breath and attention, and begin worship by honoring Nandi as the emblem of steadiness and devotion before Śiva.