Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 25

कार्तिकेयलीलावर्णनम्

Narration of Kārttikeya’s Divine Play

Devanagari script

तदा स्कंदादिचत्वारो महावीरा महाबलाः । इन्द्रं हंतुं द्रुतं जग्मुस्सोयं तच्छरणं ययौ

Transliteration

tadā skaṃdādicatvāro mahāvīrā mahābalāḥ | indraṃ haṃtuṃ drutaṃ jagmussoyaṃ taccharaṇaṃ yayau

Translation

其时，以斯坎陀为首的四位大勇士，威猛无比、力大无穷，疾速出发欲诛因陀罗。因陀罗见此，立刻趋赴其足下求归依，投向那至上的庇护。

Word by Word

• तदा: then
• तदा: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय

• स्कन्दादिचत्वारः: the four beginning with Skanda
• स्कन्दादिचत्वारः: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्कन्द + आदि + चतुर् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (आदि-समास: ‘स्कन्दः आदिः येषां ते’ + चत्वारः); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्ता

• महावीराः: great heroes
• महावीराः: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + वीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्ता (स्कन्दादिचत्वारः इत्यस्य विशेषण/अप्पोजिशन)

• महाबलाः: very strong
• महाबलाः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा + बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• इन्द्रम्: Indra
• इन्द्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्म

• हन्तुम्: to kill
• हन्तुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हन् (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (infinitive); प्रयोजन/उद्देश्य (purpose)

• द्रुतम्: quickly
• द्रुतम्: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: द्रुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण नपुंसक-एकवचन (adverbial accusative)

• जग्मुः: went
• जग्मुः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार, परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• सः: he
• सः: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्ता

• अयम्: this (one)
• अयम्: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्ता (ययौ इत्यस्य)

• तत्: that
• तत्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (शरणम् इत्यस्य)

• शरणम्: refuge
• शरणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्म (गन्तव्य/आश्रय)

• ययौ: went
• ययौ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार, परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Theme of śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) as the turning-point from deva-pride to grace-seeking; pilgrimage analogue: approaching Śiva as sole protector.

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Crisis-to-refuge pivot: impending slaying of Indra by Skanda and companions

Characters & Entities

• Skanda (Kartikeya)
• Indra

FAQs

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

It highlights śaraṇāgati—when even a powerful deity faces the fruits of karma and fear, true safety lies in taking refuge in the supreme Lord, who alone grants protection and right order.

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

Refuge “at His feet” aligns with Saguna Shiva devotion—approaching Shiva (often worshiped as the Linga) as the compassionate protector who receives the surrendered soul and restores dharma.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice surrender through japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and mentally place oneself at Shiva’s feet, cultivating humility and reliance on divine grace.