Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 27

वीरभद्र–देवयुद्धवर्णनम्

Vīrabhadra and the Battle with the Devas

Devanagari script

तयोः समभवद्युद्धं सुघोरं रोमहर्षणम् । महावीराधिपत्योस्तु नानास्त्रधरयोर्मुने

Transliteration

tayoḥ samabhavadyuddhaṃ sughoraṃ romaharṣaṇam | mahāvīrādhipatyostu nānāstradharayormune

Translation

முனிவரே! அந்த இருவருக்கிடையில் மிகக் கொடிய, மெய்சிலிர்க்கச் செய்யும் போர் எழுந்தது—மகாவீரர்களின் தலைவர்களாகிய, பலவகை ஆயுதம் தாங்கிய இருவருக்கிடையே.

Word by Word

• तयोः: of those two
• तयोः: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), द्विवचन (Dual), सर्वनाम (pronoun)

• सम्: together/fully (prefix)
• सम्: क्रियाविशेषण (verb-modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम् (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
• Form: उपसर्ग (preverb)

• अभवत्: arose/occurred
• अभवत्: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

• युद्धम्: battle
• युद्धम्: कर्ता (प्रथमा/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन (Singular)

• सुघोरम्: very terrible
• सुघोरम्: विशेषण (Adjectival to subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुघोर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier) of युद्धम्

• रोमहर्षणम्: hair-raising
• रोमहर्षणम्: विशेषण (Adjectival to subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रोमहर्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन; विशेषण of युद्धम्

• महावीराधिपत्योः: of the two lordships/leaders of great heroes
• महावीराधिपत्योः: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महावीर + आधिपत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (Genitive determinative: 'of great heroes' + 'lordship/command'); नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter) आधिपत्य-शब्दः; षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), द्विवचन (Dual)

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: सम्बन्धसूचक (discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), विरोध/विशेषार्थ (contrast/emphasis)

• नानास्त्रधरयोः: of the two bearers of various weapons
• नानास्त्रधरयोः: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाना + अस्त्र + धर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-समाससमुच्चयः: नाना (indeclinable 'various') + अस्त्र (weapon) + धर (holder) → 'various-weapon-holders'; पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), द्विवचन (Dual)

• मुने: O sage
• मुने: सम्बोधन (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन (Singular)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Satī

Role: destructive

FAQs

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

The verse highlights the intensity of worldly conflict—driven by heroism and power—contrasting with Shaiva Siddhanta’s higher aim: turning from fearsome outer struggle toward inner conquest through Shiva-bhakti and right discernment.

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

Though the verse describes battle, such episodes in the Shiva Purana often serve as narrative backdrop showing the instability of worldly dominance; devotion to Saguna Shiva (and Linga-worship) is presented as the steady refuge that grants protection, clarity, and ultimately grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to seek inner steadiness amid turmoil through Shiva-japa—especially the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and, where appropriate, supportive Shaiva observances like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as aids to remembrance.