Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 37

भद्रस्य देवसंघेषु विक्रमः

Bhadra’s Onslaught among the Deva Hosts

Devanagari script

महाभयस्खलत्पादं वेपन्तं विगतत्विषम् । मृगरूपेण धावन्तं विशिरस्कं तदाकरोत्

Transliteration

mahābhayaskhalatpādaṃ vepantaṃ vigatatviṣam | mṛgarūpeṇa dhāvantaṃ viśiraskaṃ tadākarot

Translation

他被大恐惧压倒，脚步踉跄，浑身战栗，光彩尽失，化作鹿形奔逃；就在那一刻，湿婆的威力使他立成无首之身。

Word by Word

• mahā-bhaya-skhalat-pādam: whose feet were stumbling from great fear
• mahā-bhaya-skhalat-pādam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā + bhaya + √skhal (स्खल् धातु) + pāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Multi-member compound; overall Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग) agreeing with implied object; internal: 'mahābhaya' (tatpuruṣa) + 'skhalat' (present participle, शतृ) qualifying 'pāda'

• vepantam: trembling
• vepantam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √vep (वेप् धातु) (कृदन्त)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• vigata-tviṣam: deprived of luster
• vigata-tviṣam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vigata + tviṣ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) 'vigatā tviṣ yasya'; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• mṛga-rūpeṇa: in the form of a deer
• mṛga-rūpeṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mṛga + rūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) 'mṛgasya rūpam'; Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• dhāvantam: running
• dhāvantam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √dhāv (धाव् धातु) (कृदन्त)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• viśiraskam: headless
• viśiraskam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi + śiras (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi (बहुव्रीहि) 'viśiras' = 'without head'; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• tadā: then
• tadā: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb of time (कालवाचक-अव्यय)

• akarot: made / did
• akarot: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (कृ धातु)
• Form: Aorist (लुङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); parasmaipada

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Kālāntaka

Shakti Dimension

Role: destructive

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It portrays the collapse of worldly power before Pati (Lord Shiva): when the pashu (bound soul) is seized by fear and loses its inner radiance, Shiva’s śakti can abruptly cut down arrogance and bondage, forcing a turning toward dharma and liberation.

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

The verse emphasizes Saguna Shiva as the immediate Lord of karma and grace—protector and chastiser—whom devotees approach through Linga-worship to seek purification, fearlessness, and the removal of pāśas (bondages).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to cultivate fearlessness through Shiva-bhakti: daily remembrance of the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") with humility, along with disciplines like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and japa to weaken ego and karmic bondage.