Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 4

युद्धप्रारम्भवर्णनम् — Description of the Commencement of Battle

Devanagari script

देवा दृष्ट्वा समायांतं तारकस्य महाबलम् । बलेन बहुकुर्वन्तः सिंहनादं विसिस्मियुः

Transliteration

devā dṛṣṭvā samāyāṃtaṃ tārakasya mahābalam | balena bahukurvantaḥ siṃhanādaṃ visismiyuḥ

Translation

诸天见塔罗迦挟无边巨力逼近，便聚集自身威势，发出如狮般的战吼；然而内心仍为其力量所震惊。

Word by Word

• देवाः: the gods
• देवाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), बहुवचन

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Kriya (क्रिया-पूर्वक)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (gerund), पूर्वकालिक क्रिया; अर्थः—"दृष्ट्वा" (having seen)

• समायान्तम्: coming/approaching
• समायान्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + आ + या (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमान-कृदन्त (present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; उपसर्गौ: सम्, आ

• तारकस्य: of Tāraka
• तारकस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तारक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• महाबलम्: great strength
• महाबलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाबल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः कर्मधारयः (महत् बलम्)

• बलेन: by strength
• बलेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• बहुकुर्वन्तः: doing much (exerting greatly)
• बहुकुर्वन्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: बहु + कृ (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमान-कृदन्त, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; उपपद-समासवत् प्रयोगः—"बहु कुर्वन्तः" (doing much/exerting greatly)

• सिंहनादम्: lion-roar
• सिंहनादम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिंह + नाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सिंहस्य नादः)

• विसिस्मियुः: marvelled, were astonished
• विसिस्मियुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + स्मि (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (परोक्शभूत/Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन, आत्मनेपद; उपसर्गः वि

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Tārakāsura

FAQs

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

It contrasts worldly or demonic might with the Devas’ shaken confidence, pointing to a Shaiva Siddhanta theme: power without alignment to Pati (Shiva) cannot secure true victory; humility and dependence on Shiva’s grace become necessary.

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

The Devas’ astonishment foreshadows their need to seek refuge in Saguna Shiva—approaching the Lord through worship and prayer (often centered on the Linga) when cosmic order is threatened beyond their capacity.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to adopt śaraṇāgati (seeking refuge) through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” especially when confronting fear or overpowering obstacles.