Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 37

शङ्खचूडकृततपः—ब्रह्मवरकवचप्राप्तिः / Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Austerity—Brahmā’s Boon and the Bestowal of the Kavaca

Devanagari script

किं त्वं परीक्षसे कांतमीदृशं गुणिनं सति । देवानामसुराणां च दानवानां विमर्दकम्

Transliteration

kiṃ tvaṃ parīkṣase kāṃtamīdṛśaṃ guṇinaṃ sati | devānāmasurāṇāṃ ca dānavānāṃ vimardakam

Translation

اے ستی، اے صاحبۂ فضیلت! تُو اپنے محبوب کو کیوں آزماتی ہے—ایسے باکمال بہادر کو جو دیوتاؤں، اسوروں اور دانَووں تک کو کچل دینے والا ہے؟

Word by Word

• kim: why? / what?
• kim: Particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kim (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: अव्ययवत् प्रयुक्तं प्रश्नवाचकं (interrogative particle: 'why/what')

• tvam: you
• tvam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: उत्तमपुरुष-सर्वनाम, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन

• parīkṣase: examine, test
• parīkṣase: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari-īkṣ (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), आत्मनेपद, मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन

• kāntam: beloved (one)
• kāntam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kānta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• īdṛśam: such as this
• īdṛśam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: īdṛśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifier of kāntam)

• guṇinam: virtuous, possessing qualities
• guṇinam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: guṇin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (possessing virtues)

• sati: O virtuous lady
• sati: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: satī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन

• devānām: of the gods
• devānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), बहुवचन

• asurāṇām: of the demons (asuras)
• asurāṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), बहुवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction 'and')

• dānavānām: of the dānavas
• dānavānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dānava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), बहुवचन

• vimardakam: crusher, destroyer
• vimardakam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vi-mardaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; कर्तरि-प्रयोगे कर्मधारयार्थकः (agent-noun: 'crusher')

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Yuddhakhaṇḍa dialogue; speaker within the scene is inferred as a warrior/ally addressing a virtuous lady)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Rudra

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Asuras
• Danavas

FAQs

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

It highlights discernment and steadiness: a truly capable protector need not be repeatedly “tested.” In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, faith aligned with dharma stabilizes the soul (paśu) amid conflict, while ego-driven doubt becomes a subtle bond (pāśa).

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

The verse praises manifest strength and virtue—qualities associated with Saguna Shiva’s protection of cosmic order. Linga-worship trains the devotee to move from wavering doubt to grounded trust, seeing divine power as both immanent (Saguna) and ultimately transcendent (Nirguna).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is steadiness through japa: repeat the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with a calm mind, optionally with rudrākṣa, to reduce doubt and cultivate resolute devotion during life’s “inner battles.”