Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 52

मेना-शिवदर्शन-प्रस्थानम् | Menā’s Quest to Behold Śiva

Departure for Śiva’s Darśana

Devanagari script

करालाः श्मश्रुलाः केचित्केचित्खञ्जा ह्यलोचनाः । दण्डपाशधराः केचित्केचिन्मुद्गरपाणयः

Transliteration

karālāḥ śmaśrulāḥ kecitkecitkhañjā hyalocanāḥ | daṇḍapāśadharāḥ kecitkecinmudgarapāṇayaḥ

Translation

有的形貌狰狞可怖，有的蓄须；有的跛行，有的无目。有的执杖与索套，有的手持钉头槌般的巨槌。

Word by Word

• करालाः: terrible, grim-faced
• करालाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कराल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• श्मश्रुलाः: bearded
• श्मश्रुलाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्मश्रुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• केचित्: some (persons)
• केचित्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; अनिर्दिष्ट-समूहवाचक (some)

• केचित्: some (others)
• केचित्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; पुनरुक्ति (some others)

• खञ्जाः: lame
• खञ्जाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: खञ्ज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), अव्यय; बलार्थ/निश्चयार्थ (indeed)

• अलोचनाः: eyeless
• अलोचनाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अलोचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; नञ्-समास/उपसर्ग-युक्त (a- = without)

• दण्डपाशधराः: bearing staff and noose
• दण्डपाशधराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दण्ड + पाश + धर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (दण्डपाशौ धरन्ति = holding staff and noose)

• केचित्: some
• केचित्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• केचित्: some (others)
• केचित्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• मुद्गरपाणयः: those with hammers in their hands
• मुद्गरपाणयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुद्गर + पाणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (मुद्गरः पाणौ येषाम्/मुद्गरपाणि = having a hammer in hand)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmī

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It portrays the diverse and awe-inspiring forms of Shiva’s gaṇas, teaching that the Lord’s power (Śiva-śakti) is not limited to pleasing appearances; devotion recognizes the Pati (Shiva) as the inner ruler of all forms.

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

The gaṇas’ fearsome attributes emphasize Saguna Shiva’s role as protector and remover of obstacles for devotees; Linga-worship invokes this protective presence while pointing to the formless supreme reality beyond form.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Cultivate reverent fearlessness (bhakti with humility) while repeating the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”; in ritual, approach Shiva with purity (bhasma/Tripuṇḍra where customary) and the intent to surrender ego rather than judge outward forms.