Shloka 9

यक्षेश्वरावतारः (Yakṣeśvara-Avatāra) and the Nīlakaṇṭha Paradigm in the Churning of the Ocean

Devanagari script

तातो बहूनि रत्नानि निस्सृतानि ततो मुने । अमृतं च पदार्थं हि सुरदानवयोर्मुने

Transliteration

tāto bahūni ratnāni nissṛtāni tato mune | amṛtaṃ ca padārthaṃ hi suradānavayormune

Translation

ثم، أيها الحكيم، خرجت منه جواهر كثيرة نفيسة. ومن ذلك الخضّ نفسه، أيها الموني، نشأت أيضًا «أَمْرِتَا»؛ رحيق الخلود، لأجل منفعة الدِّيفات والدّانَفَة معًا.

Word by Word

• ततः: thereafter/from that
• ततः: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya), तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त: 'thereafter/from that'

• बहूनि: many
• बहूनि: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bahu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), बहुवचन; विशेषण

• रत्नानि: gems/jewels
• रत्नानि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• निस्सृतानि: emerged
• निस्सृतानि: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa/Predicate (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: niḥsṛta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √sṛ धातु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; भूतकृदन्त (PPP) — 'gone out/emerged'

• ततः: from that (churning)
• ततः: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya), तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त

• मुने: O sage
• मुने: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन

• अमृतम्: nectar/ambrosia
• अमृतम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: amṛta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय-बोधक (conjunction)

• पदार्थम्: a valuable substance/thing
• पदार्थम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: padārtha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: पदस्य अर्थः

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha/Emphasis (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, निपात (particle) — emphasis/causal nuance

• सुरदानवयोः: of the gods and demons
• सुरदानवयोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sura + dānava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), द्विवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व: सुरौ च दानवौ च

• मुने: O sage
• मुने: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: From the continued churning arise ratnas (treasures) and amṛta. In Siddhānta reading, such ‘products’ belong to māyā’s evolutes—valuable yet still within the realm of bondage unless oriented to Śiva.

Significance: Teaches discernment: even divine ‘treasures’ and longevity (amṛta) are not final liberation; they are to be subordinated to Śiva-bhakti and pursuit of anugraha.

Shakti Dimension

Role: creative

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Samudra-manthana: emergence of ratnas and amṛta

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Danavas
• Amrita
• Ratnas

FAQs

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

The verse highlights that extraordinary “treasures” arise from intense churning—symbolizing inner tapas and purification—yet Shaiva Siddhanta points beyond worldly boons (even Amṛta) to Shiva’s grace as the true source of liberation and deathlessness.

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

Although the verse narrates cosmic outcomes (jewels and Amṛta), the Shaiva reading treats all such emergences as dependent effects; worship of Saguna Shiva in the Linga centers the devotee on the Supreme Cause (Pati) rather than on the secondary gifts that arise within creation.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to “churn” the mind through japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and steady devotion, seeking Shiva’s anugraha (grace) rather than merely siddhis or material gains.