Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 9

भद्रस्य दिव्यरथारोहणं शङ्खनादश्च — Bhadra’s Divine Chariot-Ascent and the Conch-Blast

Devanagari script

ततः शंखवरं दीप्तं पूर्णचंद्रसमप्रभम् । प्रदध्मौ वदने कृत्वा भानुकंपो महाबलः

Transliteration

tataḥ śaṃkhavaraṃ dīptaṃ pūrṇacaṃdrasamaprabham | pradadhmau vadane kṛtvā bhānukaṃpo mahābalaḥ

Translation

అప్పుడు మహాబలుడు భానుకంపుడు పూర్ణచంద్రసమప్రభతో ప్రకాశించే శ్రేష్ఠ శంఖాన్ని నోటికి పెట్టుకొని బలంగా ఊదెను।

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb (क्रियाविशेषण) of sequence/time

• śaṃkha-varam: the excellent conch
• śaṃkha-varam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaṃkha (प्रातिपदिक) + vara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); Karmadhāraya: ‘excellent conch’

• dīptam: shining
• dīptam: Karma (कर्म) (qualifier of śaṃkhavaram)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dīpta (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-भाव)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); past passive participle (क्त) from √dīp ‘shining’

• pūrṇa-candra-sama-prabham: having the luster of the full moon
• pūrṇa-candra-sama-prabham: Karma (कर्म) (qualifier of śaṃkhavaram)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pūrṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + candra (प्रातिपदिक) + sama (प्रातिपदिक) + prabhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); Tatpuruṣa chain: pūrṇacandra (‘full moon’) + sama (‘equal to’) + prabha (‘having radiance’) = ‘having radiance equal to the full moon’

• pradadhmau: blew (the conch)
• pradadhmau: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-dham (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ-lakāra (लिट्, perfect), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• vadane: at/in the mouth
• vadane: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vadana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular (एकवचन)

• kṛtvā: having put (it)
• kṛtvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), ‘having placed/made’

• bhānu-kampaḥ: Bhānukampa (name/epithet)
• bhānu-kampaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhānu (प्रातिपदिक) + kampa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); Tatpuruṣa: ‘sun-tremor’ (proper name/epithet)

• mahā-balaḥ: mighty
• mahā-balaḥ: Karta (कर्ता) (qualifier of bhānukampaḥ)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); Karmadhāraya: ‘great strength’ → ‘mighty’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

• Bhānukampa

FAQs

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

The radiant conch-blast marks an intentional beginning—an outward signal of order and resolve—suggesting that disciplined action should be initiated with clarity and auspiciousness, ultimately oriented toward the Lord (Pati) who governs all power.

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

Though the verse is narrative and martial, the shankha functions as an auspicious sound used in temple worship as well; it parallels how devotees begin Saguna Shiva worship—announcing reverence and focusing the senses before approaching the Linga with devotion.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Use auspicious sound and breath with restraint: begin worship by blowing a conch (if part of one’s tradition) or by steady pranava/japa—such as repeating “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—to gather attention and consecrate the start of practice.