Shloka 29

पिप्पलादावतारकथनम्

Account of the Pippalāda Avatāra

Devanagari script

वंशोद्भवं वज्रं शरो ब्रह्मशिरस्तथा । अन्यास्थिभिर्बहूनि स्वपराण्यस्त्राणि निर्ममे

Transliteration

vaṃśodbhavaṃ vajraṃ śaro brahmaśirastathā | anyāsthibhirbahūni svaparāṇyastrāṇi nirmame

Translation

ด้วยกระดูกที่เกิดจากไม้ไผ่ เขาได้สร้างวัชระ ศร และอาวุธพรหมศิรัส; และด้วยกระดูกอื่น ๆ ก็สร้างอาวุธสูงสุดอีกมากมายทั้งเพื่อตนและเพื่อผู้อื่น

Word by Word

• वंश-उद्भवम्: born of bamboo
• वंश-उद्भवम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वंश (प्रातिपदिक) + उद्भव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); qualifies वज्रम्

• वज्रम्: thunderbolt
• वज्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वज्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• शरः: an arrow
• शरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• ब्रह्म-शिरः: Brahmā’s head (weapon)
• ब्रह्म-शिरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• तथा: also / likewise
• तथा: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• अन्य-अस्थिभिः: with other bones
• अन्य-अस्थिभिः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक) + अस्थि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन)

• बहूनि: many
• बहूनि: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Plural (बहुवचन); agrees with अस्त्राणि

• स्व-पराणि: (for) one’s own and others (i.e., various)
• स्व-पराणि: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Plural (बहुवचन); dvandva meaning 'own and others’/friendly and hostile' (contextual)

• अस्त्राणि: weapons
• अस्त्राणि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Plural (बहुवचन)

• निर्ममे: fashioned / created
• निर्ममे: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मा (धातु) [नि-उपसर्ग]
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Rudra

Characters & Entities

• Brahma

FAQs

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

The verse highlights that even the most fearsome powers (astras) are ultimately fashioned and governed within cosmic order; in a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, all energies function under the Lord (Pati), and power is meant for protection of dharma, not ego-driven destruction.

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

Weapons symbolize manifest (saguṇa) divine energies—Shiva’s regulated power in creation and protection—whereas Linga worship centers the devotee in the source beyond all forms; the narrative reminds worshippers to seek the Lord behind power, not merely the power itself.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with bhakti and self-control, offering one’s inner ‘weapons’ (anger, pride) into Shiva’s discipline; on Mahashivratri, combine japa with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) remembrance of impermanence.