Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 15

दक्षस्य विष्णुं प्रति शरणागतिḥ — Dakṣa’s Appeal to Viṣṇu and the Teaching on Disrespect to Śiva

Devanagari script

शर्वाज्ञया गणाः शूरा निर्भया रुद्रविक्रमाः । असंख्याः सिंहनादान्वै कुर्वंतो वीरसत्तमाः

Transliteration

śarvājñayā gaṇāḥ śūrā nirbhayā rudravikramāḥ | asaṃkhyāḥ siṃhanādānvai kurvaṃto vīrasattamāḥ

Translation

奉舍尔瓦(Śarva)之命，英勇的伽那众无所畏惧，具足鲁陀罗之威猛，数不胜数地推进，发出狮子般的咆哮，如同最上等的战士。

Word by Word

• शर्व-आज्ञया: by Śarva’s command
• शर्व-आज्ञया: Karana (करण/हेतु-आदेश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + आज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया-करण), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: ‘शर्वस्य आज्ञा’

• गणाः: the gaṇas
• गणाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• शूराः: brave
• शूराः: Karta (कर्ता/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शूर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• निर्भयाः: fearless
• निर्भयाः: Karta (कर्ता/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर्भय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• रुद्र-विक्रमाः: of Rudra-like valor
• रुद्र-विक्रमाः: Karta (कर्ता/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रुद्र (प्रातिपदिक) + विक्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः: ‘रुद्र-सदृशः विक्रमः येषां ते’ (Rudra-like in prowess)

• असंख्याः: countless
• असंख्याः: Karta (कर्ता/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: असंख्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• सिंह-नादान्: lion-roars
• सिंह-नादान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिंह (प्रातिपदिक) + नाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया-कर्म), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: ‘सिंहस्य नादः’

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निश्चयार्थक/पादपूरण (emphatic particle)

• कुर्वन्तः: making/uttering
• कुर्वन्तः: Karta (कर्ता/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृ (धातु) → कुर्वत् (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, शतृ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; वर्तमानकाले शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त (present active participle)

• वीर-सत्तमाः: the best of heroes
• वीर-सत्तमाः: Karta (कर्ता/अप्पोजिशन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर (प्रातिपदिक) + सत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: ‘वीराणां सत्तमाः’ (best among heroes)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Rudra

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: The gaṇas, empowered by Śarva’s ājñā, manifest Rudra’s vikrama to dismantle the yajña that excluded Śiva—illustrating divine enforcement of cosmic order.

Significance: Reminds pilgrims that true fearlessness (nirbhayatā) arises from alignment with Pati’s command; power divorced from Śiva becomes bondage (pāśa) through karma.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Satī

Role: destructive

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Rudra
• Ganas

FAQs

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

It highlights īśvara-ājñā (the Lord’s command) as the guiding power: Śiva’s gaṇas act without fear because their strength is rooted in Rudra’s śakti, teaching devotees that courage arises from surrender to Pati (the Supreme Lord) rather than ego.

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

The verse emphasizes Saguna Śiva—Śarva/Rudra as the personal Lord who commands and protects. Linga-worship similarly trains the devotee to attune to Śiva’s will, seeking His grace (anugraha) that grants steadfastness and fearlessness.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a bhāva of obedience to Śiva’s ājñā, supported by simple Rudra-upāsanā such as applying tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and cultivating inner fearlessness (abhaya) in daily duties.