Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 26

शुक्रनिग्रहः — The Seizure/Neutralization of Śukra (Kāvya) and the Daityas’ Despondency

Devanagari script

गजवाजिमहारावस्फुटशब्दग्रहाणि च । भग्नध्वजपताकानि क्षीणप्रहरणानि च

Transliteration

gajavājimahārāvasphuṭaśabdagrahāṇi ca | bhagnadhvajapatākāni kṣīṇapraharaṇāni ca

Translation

เสียงคำรามใหญ่ของช้างและม้าดังก้องชัดเจน ธงชัยและธงผืนต่าง ๆ แตกหักกระจัดกระจาย และอาวุธทั้งหลายก็สึกหรอจนสิ้นแรง

Word by Word

• गजवाजिमहारावस्फुटशब्दग्रहाणि: distinct sound-catches (clear reports) of the great roars of elephants and horses
• गजवाजिमहारावस्फुटशब्दग्रहाणि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गज + वाजि + महा + राव + स्फुट + शब्द + ग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषसमासः—‘गजवाजीनां महारावः, स्फुटः शब्दः, (तस्य) ग्रहः’ इत्यर्थे; युद्धे श्रवणग्रहणीयानि स्पष्टध्वनिग्रहणानि

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• भग्नध्वजपताकानि: broken banners and flags
• भग्नध्वजपताकानि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भग्न (भञ्ज् धातोः क्त, कृदन्त) + ध्वज + पताका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष—‘भग्नाः ध्वजपताकाः’ (broken banners and flags)

• क्षीणप्रहरणानि: spent/weakened weapons
• क्षीणप्रहरणानि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षीण (क्षि धातोः क्त, कृदन्त) + प्रहरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय—‘क्षीणानि प्रहरणानि’ (weakened/spent weapons)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Tripurāntaka

FAQs

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

It depicts the collapse of worldly might—noise, flags, and weapons all failing—hinting that power rooted only in force is impermanent; in Shaiva understanding, true victory rests in alignment with Shiva (Pati) and dharma, not mere martial display.

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

By showing the exhaustion of external instruments (weapons, standards), the verse indirectly points devotees toward the stable refuge of Saguna Shiva—worship of Shiva (often through the Linga) as the protector of dharma when worldly supports break.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to cultivate inner steadiness through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and remembrance of Shiva when outer conditions become chaotic, reinforcing detachment and surrender.