Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 26

जलंधरयुद्धे मायाप्रयोगः — Jalandhara’s Māyā in the Battle with Śiva

Devanagari script

कोपं कृत्वा परं शूली पादांगुष्ठेन लीलया । महांभसि चकाराशु रथांगं रौद्रमद्भुतम्

Transliteration

kopaṃ kṛtvā paraṃ śūlī pādāṃguṣṭhena līlayā | mahāṃbhasi cakārāśu rathāṃgaṃ raudramadbhutam

Translation

于是，持三叉戟的主宰激起极盛之怒，却又以脚大拇趾如戏般轻点，顷刻在浩瀚水域中造出一件奇异而可怖、如轮盘般的神兵。

Word by Word

• kopam: anger
• kopam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kopa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• kṛtvā: having assumed / having made
• kṛtvā: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive), ‘having done/made/assumed’

• param: great / intense
• param: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; intensifier to kopam

• śūlī: the trident-bearer (Śiva)
• śūlī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śūlin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; ‘the trident-bearer (Śiva)’

• pāda-aṃguṣṭhena: with the big toe (of the foot)
• pāda-aṃguṣṭhena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāda + aṃguṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (pādasya aṃguṣṭhaḥ), पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन

• līlayā: playfully
• līlayā: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: līlā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; adverbial instrumental ‘playfully’

• mahā-ambhasi: in the great ocean
• mahā-ambhasi: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + ambhas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय (mahā-ambhas = महान् अम्भः), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; locative ‘in the great waters/ocean’

• cakāra: made
• cakāra: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/लिट्), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• āśu: quickly
• āśu: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: āśu (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time/manner)

• rathāṅgam: wheel / discus
• rathāṅgam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratha + aṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (rathasya aṅgam), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; object of cakāra

• raudram: fierce
• raudram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: raudra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; adjective to rathāṅgam

• adbhutam: wonderful / marvelous
• adbhutam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: adbhuta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; adjective to rathāṅgam

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

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 shows Śiva as Pati (the Supreme Lord) whose power is effortless: even a mere “toe-play” can produce a fearsome cosmic instrument. For the seeker, it teaches that the Lord’s will alone dissolves obstacles—outer foes in the story and inner foes like anger, ego, and delusion in spiritual life.

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

The verse highlights Saguna Śiva—manifest with attributes (śūlī, wrathful, wielder of divine force). Linga-worship trains the mind to recognize that the same Supreme Reality, though beyond form (Nirguṇa), also compassionately assumes form and power to protect dharma and liberate devotees.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditate on Rudra’s protective energy while repeating the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” offering water to the Śiva-liṅga as a reminder that even the elements are governed by Him; cultivate surrender so that inner hostility is transformed into disciplined spiritual strength.