Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 14

भद्रस्य देवसंघेषु विक्रमः

Bhadra’s Onslaught among the Deva Hosts

Devanagari script

रुद्रान्दृढेन शूलेन मुद्गरैर्वरुणं दृढैः । परिघैर्निरृतिं वायुं टंकैष्टंकधरः स्वयम्

Transliteration

rudrāndṛḍhena śūlena mudgarairvaruṇaṃ dṛḍhaiḥ | parighairnirṛtiṃ vāyuṃ ṭaṃkaiṣṭaṃkadharaḥ svayam

Translation

Sau đó, chính Đức Pháp Vương—tay cầm chiếc rìu chiến dũng mãnh—đã đánh gục các vị Rudra bằng cây đinh ba kiên cố; Ngài đã khuất phục Varuna bằng những chiếc chùy vững chắc; Ngài đã ngăn chặn Nirrti bằng những thanh sắt; và bằng những chiếc rìu sắc bén, Ngài đã chế ngự Vayu.

Word by Word

• रुद्रान्: the Rudras
• रुद्रान्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; Accusative plural

• दृढेन: with a firm/strong
• दृढेन: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दृढ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; Instrumental singular; qualifying शूलेन

• शूलेन: with a trident/spear
• शूलेन: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; Instrumental singular

• मुद्गरैः: with maces
• मुद्गरैः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुद्गर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; Instrumental plural

• वरुणम्: Varuṇa
• वरुणम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वरुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; Accusative singular

• दृढैः: strong (ones)
• दृढैः: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दृढ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; Instrumental plural; qualifying मुद्गरैः

• परिघैः: with iron bars/clubs
• परिघैः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परिघ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; Instrumental plural

• निरृतिम्: Nirṛti
• निरृतिम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निरृति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; Accusative singular

• वायुम्: Vāyu
• वायुम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वायु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; Accusative singular

• टंकैः: with chisels/picks (ṭaṅkas)
• टंकैः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: टंक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; Instrumental plural

• टंकधरः: the ṭaṅka-bearer
• टंकधरः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: टंक (प्रातिपदिक) + धर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; Nominative singular; ‘bearer of a ṭaṅka’ (agent)

• स्वयम्: himself
• स्वयम्: कर्ता-विशेषण (Emphatic to subject)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वयम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; आत्मार्थक (indeclinable: oneself/ personally)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; continues the martial suppression of deva-powers by Śiva’s manifestation/agent, emphasizing Śiva’s supremacy over the dikpālas and elemental deities.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Rudras
• Varuna
• Nirriti
• Vayu

FAQs

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

It asserts Shiva as Pati—the sovereign Lord who governs even the cosmic powers (devas and directional forces). By depicting their subjugation, the text teaches that liberation comes from surrender to Shiva, not from reliance on limited divine agencies.

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

The verse presents Saguna Shiva in a visible, active form wielding weapons—yet the theological point supports Linga-worship: the Linga signifies the supreme Pati who transcends and commands all functions of the cosmos represented by Varuṇa, Vāyu, and others.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) supported by japa of the Pañcākṣarī—"Om Namaḥ Śivāya"—and steady meditation on Shiva as the inner ruler of all prāṇa (Vāyu) and all elemental powers, especially during Mahāśivarātri observances.