Shiva Purana — Satarudra Samhita, Shloka 23

द्विजेश्वरावतारः

The Manifestation of Shiva as Dvijeśvara

Devanagari script

किन्ते खड्गेन शङ्खेन किं ते मंत्रास्त्रविद्यया । किं सत्त्वेन महास्त्राणां किं प्रभावेण भूयसा

Transliteration

kinte khaḍgena śaṅkhena kiṃ te maṃtrāstravidyayā | kiṃ sattvena mahāstrāṇāṃ kiṃ prabhāveṇa bhūyasā

Translation

Gươm hay tù và có ích gì cho ngài? Tri thức về mantra-astra (vũ khí thần chú) có ích gì? Sức mạnh của đại binh khí đáng giá gì, và quyền lực quá mức rốt cuộc dùng làm gì—khi Thực Tại tối thượng của Đấng Chúa Tể chỉ có thể được tiếp cận bằng bhakti và chân trí, chứ không phải bằng bạo lực thuần túy?

Word by Word

• किम्: what?
• किम्: Prashna (प्रश्न/Interrogative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; interrogative pronoun used adverbially

• ते: of you/your
• ते: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th/Genitive) एकवचन; enclitic form

• खड्गेन: with a sword
• खड्गेन: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: khaḍga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• शङ्खेन: with a conch
• शङ्खेन: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaṅkha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• किम्: what (use)
• किम्: Prashna (प्रश्न/Interrogative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; interrogative used adverbially

• ते: to you/for you (your)
• ते: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th/Genitive) एकवचन

• मन्त्रास्त्रविद्यया: by the lore of mantra-weapons
• मन्त्रास्त्रविद्यया: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mantra + astra + vidyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; समासः—मन्त्र-अस्त्र-विद्या (mantra-weapon lore)

• किम्: what (use)
• किम्: Prashna (प्रश्न)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; interrogative used adverbially

• सत्त्वेन: with strength/valor
• सत्त्वेन: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sattva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• महास्त्राणाम्: of great weapons
• महास्त्राणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + astra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन; समासः—महानि अस्त्राणि (great weapons)

• किम्: what (use)
• किम्: Prashna (प्रश्न)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; interrogative used adverbially

• प्रभावेण: with power/effect
• प्रभावेण: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prabhāva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• भूयसा: greater, more
• भूयसा: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhūyas (प्रातिपदिक; comparative)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; तुलनात्मक (comparative)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the puranic discourse, presenting a rhetorical teaching on the limits of weapons and power)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that external power—arms, martial symbols, and even mantra-weapon lore—cannot replace inner transformation; Shiva is ultimately approached through devotion (bhakti), right understanding, and surrender, not through domination.

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

Linga-worship emphasizes humility and inwardness: offerings, mantra, and contemplation refine the devotee. This verse contrasts that inward path with reliance on outward force, implying that Saguna worship is meant to lead the mind toward Shiva’s higher, transcendent reality.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Prioritize japa and devotion-centered worship—especially Panchakshara mantra japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with steady meditation—rather than seeking spiritual authority through displays of power.