Shloka 37

Bhaimaśaṅkara-māhātmya: Śiva’s Descent in Kāmarūpa and the Rise of Bhīma

Devanagari script

भीमोऽथ तं महाराजं प्रभावाद्ब्रह्मणोऽसुरः । जिग्ये वरप्रभावेण महावीरं शिवाश्रयम्

Transliteration

bhīmo'tha taṃ mahārājaṃ prabhāvādbrahmaṇo'suraḥ | jigye varaprabhāveṇa mahāvīraṃ śivāśrayam

Translation

అప్పుడు బ్రహ్మ ప్రభావముతో బలవంతుడైన ఆ అసురుడు భీముడు, వరప్రభావబలముచే, శివాశ్రయుడైన మహావీర మహారాజును జయించెను.

Word by Word

• भीमः: Bhīma (name)
• भीमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्य-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अनन्तरार्थक-अव्यय (particle: ‘then/now’)

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• महाराजम्: the great king
• महाराजम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महान् राजा)

• प्रभावात्: due to (his) power
• प्रभावात्: Hetu/Apadana (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभाव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (अपादान), एकवचन

• ब्रह्मणः: of Brahmā
• ब्रह्मणः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• असुरः: the demon
• असुरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• जिग्ये: conquered
• जिग्ये: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जि (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदी

• वरप्रभावेण: by the power of the boon
• वरप्रभावेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर + प्रभाव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (वरस्य प्रभावः)

• महावीरम्: the great hero
• महावीरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + वीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महान् वीरः)

• शिवाश्रयम्: having Śiva as refuge
• शिवाश्रयम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिव + आश्रय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (शिवस्य आश्रयः) विशेषणम् (qualifying ‘mahāvīram’)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: The verse highlights a Śiva-āśrita king defeated due to a boon’s force; it underscores that worldly refuge without the timing of anugraha may not prevent karmic/boon-driven outcomes—yet devotion remains the axis for eventual restoration.

Significance: Teaches śaraṇāgati: taking refuge in Śiva is spiritually decisive even if temporal defeat occurs; ultimate protection is soteriological (liberation) rather than merely political.

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Boon-overrides-order motif: vara-prabhāva temporarily eclipses dharmic strength (tirodhāna) until higher resolution.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma
• Bhima

FAQs

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

It highlights that worldly victory can arise from limited, conditional powers (like boons), while true refuge in Śiva is ultimately for liberation; temporary defeat does not negate the devotee’s spiritual protection or final grace.

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

In Kotirudrasaṃhitā, such conflicts set the stage for Śiva’s saguna intervention through the Linga/Jyotirlinga principle—Śiva becomes accessible in a concrete form to protect dharma and uplift devotees beyond the reach of demonic boon-power.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) in Śiva through steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” supported by Śiva-pūjā (especially Linga worship) and purity practices like bhasma/Tripuṇḍra where traditional.