Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 21

काम-शक्र-संवादः / Dialogue of Kāma and Śakra

Indra

Devanagari script

वज्रं तिष्ठतु दूरे वै शस्त्राण्यन्यान्यनेकशः । किं ते कार्यं करिष्यंति मयि मित्र उपस्थिते

Transliteration

vajraṃ tiṣṭhatu dūre vai śastrāṇyanyānyanekaśaḥ | kiṃ te kāryaṃ kariṣyaṃti mayi mitra upasthite

Translation

让金刚杵远远置之，让诸般兵器也都搁置一旁。既然我——你的朋友——在此，它们还能成就什么？

Word by Word

• वज्रम्: the thunderbolt
• वज्रम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वज्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• तिष्ठतु: let it stand/remain
• तिष्ठतु: Kriya (क्रिया/Verbal action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

• दूरे: far away
• दूरे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दूर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन (Singular)

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक-अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• शस्त्राणि: weapons
• शस्त्राणि: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• अन्यानि: other
• अन्यानि: Karta-visheshana (कर्तृविशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• अनेकशः: in many (forms)/numerous
• अनेकशः: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अनेकशः (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकार/संख्यावाचक-अव्यय (adverb: in many ways / in multitude)

• किम्: what?
• किम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन; प्रश्नवाचक (interrogative)

• ते: your/to you
• ते: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठीसम्बन्ध/Possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी/चतुर्थी (Gen/Dat), एकवचन (Singular)

• कार्यम्: task/purpose
• कार्यम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular)

• करिष्यन्ति: will do/accomplish
• करिष्यन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया/Verbal action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लृट् (Simple Future), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन (Plural), परस्मैपद

• मयि: when I (am present)/in me
• मयि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन (Singular)

• मित्र: O friend
• मित्र: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन (Singular)

• उपस्थिते: when (I am) present
• उपस्थिते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Locative absolute)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उप-स्था (धातु) → उपस्थित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन (Singular); सति-सप्तमी (locative absolute) with मयि

Speaker

Lord Shiva (inferred, speaking protectively as a friend/ally within the Pārvatīkhaṇḍa narrative)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse teaches that no external force—symbolized by the vajra and other weapons—can equal the saving presence of Shiva. In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, Pati (Shiva) is the true refuge who overcomes pasha (bondage) when one turns to him with trust.

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

It highlights Saguna Shiva as immediately accessible and protective: the devotee relies on Shiva’s near presence rather than on worldly defenses. Linga-worship embodies this living refuge—approaching Shiva directly through pūjā, mantra, and surrender.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) through japa of the Panchākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and steady remembrance of Shiva’s protective presence, especially during Mahāśivarātri observances.