Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 48

अध्याय १७ — देवपलायनं, विष्णोः प्रतियुद्धं, जलंधरक्रोधः

Devas’ Rout, Viṣṇu’s Counterattack, and Jalandhara’s Wrath

Devanagari script

देवगंधर्वसिद्धौघान् सर्पराक्षसमानुषान् । स्वपुरे नागरान्कृत्वा शशास भुवनत्रयम्

Transliteration

devagaṃdharvasiddhaughān sarparākṣasamānuṣān | svapure nāgarānkṛtvā śaśāsa bhuvanatrayam

Translation

他将天神、乾闼婆与悉达等众，以及那伽、罗刹与人类，尽皆纳为己城之民，于是统御三界。

Word by Word

• देव-गन्धर्व-सिद्ध-ओघान्: hosts of gods, gandharvas, and siddhas
• देव-गन्धर्व-सिद्ध-ओघान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक) + गन्धर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + सिद्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + ओघ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd case), बहुवचन (Plural); द्वन्द्वसमास (समाहार/इतरेतरार्थे): 'hosts of gods, gandharvas, and siddhas'

• सर्प-राक्षस-मानुषान्: serpents, demons, and humans
• सर्प-राक्षस-मानुषान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्प (प्रातिपदिक) + राक्षस (प्रातिपदिक) + मानुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया, बहुवचन; द्वन्द्वसमास: 'serpents, demons, and humans'

• स्व-पुरे: in his own city
• स्व-पुरे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + पुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), सप्तमी (Locative, 7th case), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुष: 'in his own city'

• नागरान्: citizens
• नागरान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नागर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• कृत्वा: having made
• कृत्वा: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (Gerund/absolutive), अर्थः: 'having made'

• शशास: ruled / governed
• शशास: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: शास् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपदी, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular)

• भुवन-त्रयम्: the three worlds
• भुवन-त्रयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भुवन (प्रातिपदिक) + त्रय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया, एकवचन; द्विगु-समास: 'the three worlds'

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Gandharvas
• Siddhas
• Nāgas
• Rākṣasas
• Humans

FAQs

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

It portrays universal order: beings from every realm become harmonized under a single rule, reflecting that true sovereignty is established by aligning governance with dharma under the supreme Lord’s ordinance.

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

In Shaiva understanding, worldly authority is stable only when rooted in devotion to Saguna Shiva (the Lord with attributes) symbolized by the Liṅga—through whom cosmic hierarchy and protection of all beings are sustained.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

As a practical takeaway, cultivate inner “rule” through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and daily Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) application to steady the mind and establish dharmic self-governance.