Shloka 56

नरकलोकमार्गयमदूतस्वरूपवर्णनम् / Description of the Path to Naraka and the Nature of Yama’s Messengers

Devanagari script

वजतुंडधरा रुद्रा क्षुरतूणधनुर्द्धराः । नानायुधधरास्सर्वे महावीरा भयंकराः

Transliteration

vajatuṃḍadharā rudrā kṣuratūṇadhanurddharāḥ | nānāyudhadharāssarve mahāvīrā bhayaṃkarāḥ

Translation

Aqueles Rudras—com presas como relâmpagos, empunhando armas afiadas como lâminas, trazendo aljavas e arcos—estavam todos armados com muitos tipos de armas; eram grandes heróis, terríveis em seu poder.

Word by Word

• वज-तुंड-धराः: bearing thunderbolt-like beaks
• वज-तुंड-धराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वज (प्रातिपदिक) + तुण्ड (प्रातिपदिक) + धर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural); विशेषण

• रुद्राः: Rudras
• रुद्राः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• क्षुर-तूण-धनुः-धराः: bearing razors, quivers, and bows
• क्षुर-तूण-धनुः-धराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्षुर (प्रातिपदिक) + तूण (प्रातिपदिक) + धनुस् (प्रातिपदिक) + धर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural); विशेषण

• नाना-आयुध-धराः: bearing various weapons
• नाना-आयुध-धराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नाना (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + आयुध (प्रातिपदिक) + धर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural); विशेषण

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural); विशेषण

• महा-वीराः: great heroes
• महा-वीराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + वीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• भयङ्कराः: terrifying
• भयङ्कराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भयङ्कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural); विशेषण

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Rudra

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Rudras

FAQs

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

It portrays the Rudras as Shiva’s Saguna, awe-inspiring powers that destroy obstacles and uphold dharma, reminding the devotee that divine protection can appear fierce while remaining compassionate toward liberation.

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

The Linga signifies the transcendent (Nirguna) reality of Shiva, while verses like this describe Saguna manifestations—Rudra forms—through which the same Supreme Lord acts in the world to protect devotees and restore cosmic order.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditate on Rudra as the inner protector while chanting the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namah Shivaya); worship with Tripundra (bhasma) and Rudraksha to cultivate fearlessness and steadiness of mind.