Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 20

अध्याय १७ — देवपलायनं, विष्णोः प्रतियुद्धं, जलंधरक्रोधः

Devas’ Rout, Viṣṇu’s Counterattack, and Jalandhara’s Wrath

Devanagari script

आगतं तस्य तं बाणं दृष्ट्वा दैत्यो महाबलः । छित्त्वा बाणेन विष्णुं च जघान हृदये द्रुतम्

Transliteration

āgataṃ tasya taṃ bāṇaṃ dṛṣṭvā daityo mahābalaḥ | chittvā bāṇena viṣṇuṃ ca jaghāna hṛdaye drutam

Translation

தன் மீது வருகிற அந்த அம்பைக் கண்ட மகாபலமுடைய தைத்யன், தன் அம்பால் அதை வெட்டி, உடனே விஷ்ணுவின் இதயத்தில் விரைவாகத் தாக்கினான்।

Word by Word

• आगतम्: having come; arrived
• आगतम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आ-गम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (बाणम्)

• तस्य: of him
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसक, षष्ठी, एकवचन (of him/of that)

• तम्: that
• तम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (बाणम्)

• बाणम्: arrow
• बाणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययीभाव (gerund/absolutive)

• दैत्यः: the demon
• दैत्यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दैत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• महाबलः: very strong
• महाबलः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समासः (महान् बलः यस्य/महाबलः); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (दैत्यः)

• छित्त्वा: having cut
• छित्त्वा: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: छिद् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययीभाव (gerund); (छिद् → छित्त्वा)

• बाणेन: with an arrow
• बाणेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन (instrumental)

• विष्णुम्: Viṣṇu
• विष्णुम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात

• जघान: struck/killed
• जघान: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हन् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• हृदये: in the heart
• हृदये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हृदय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन (locative)

• द्रुतम्: swiftly
• द्रुतम्: Prakara (प्रकार/रीति)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: द्रुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण नपुंसक-एकवचन (adverbial accusative)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahadeva

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Daitya

FAQs

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

It highlights that worldly power—even divine power displayed in battle—operates within Śiva’s higher sovereignty (Pati). The shock of reversal (Viṣṇu being struck) teaches humility and the need for surrender to the Supreme Lord beyond all roles.

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

The Linga symbolizes Śiva as the supreme ground of all divine functions. This verse reinforces that even exalted deities act under that ultimate principle, encouraging devotees to take refuge in Saguna Śiva for protection and grace while recognizing His transcendent supremacy.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to cultivate śaraṇāgati (refuge) through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” supported by vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and steady breath-focused remembrance, especially during times of conflict or inner agitation.