Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 46

गजासुरतपः–देवलोकक्षोभः

Gajāsura’s Austerities and the Disturbance of the Worlds

Devanagari script

गजासुरोतितेजस्वी महाबलपराक्रमः । विव्याध गिरिशं बाणैस्तीक्ष्णैर्दानवघातिनम्

Transliteration

gajāsurotitejasvī mahābalaparākramaḥ | vivyādha giriśaṃ bāṇaistīkṣṇairdānavaghātinam

Translation

他挟带迦阇阿修罗之炽盛威势，具足巨大力量与英勇，以锋利之箭刺向吉利沙（湿婆大自在天），那位诛灭阿修罗者。

Word by Word

• गजासुरोतितेजस्वी: radiant with the risen (splendour) of Gajāsura
• गजासुरोतितेजस्वी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गजासुर + उदित + तेजस्विन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; विशेषण—कर्तृपदस्य (he)

• महाबलपराक्रमः: of great strength and prowess
• महाबलपराक्रमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा + बल + पराक्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण—कर्तृपदस्य

• विव्याध: pierced
• विव्याध: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: व्यध् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/लिट्), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• गिरिशम्: Giriśa (Śiva)
• गिरिशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गिरिश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• बाणैः: with arrows
• बाणैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन

• तीक्ष्णैः: sharp
• तीक्ष्णैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तीक्ष्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण—बाणैः

• दानवघातिनम्: slayer of demons
• दानवघातिनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दानव + घातिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण—गिरिशम्

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Gajāsura

FAQs

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

It shows that even when Śiva appears to be “wounded” in battle, it is His saguna līlā—He remains the supreme Pati beyond harm, yet engages with adharma to protect cosmic order and awaken devotion.

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

The verse highlights Saguna Śiva as Girīśa—personally present and active in the world. Linga-worship anchors the devotee in His transcendence (nirguṇa essence) while honoring His manifest power (saguṇa protection) revealed in such battles.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Remember Śiva as “Dānavaghātin” while chanting the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and/or Rudrākṣa, meditating on His power to pierce inner demonic tendencies like pride and violence.