Shloka 24

विनायकोत्पत्तिः / ताण्डव-प्रसङ्गः (दारुक-वधः, काली-उत्पत्तिः, क्षेत्रपालोत्पत्तिः)

Devanagari script

मूर्तयो ऽष्टौ च तस्यापि क्षेत्रपालस्य धीमतः एवं वै तेन बालेन कृता सा क्रोधमूर्छिता

Transliteration

mūrtayo 'ṣṭau ca tasyāpi kṣetrapālasya dhīmataḥ evaṃ vai tena bālena kṛtā sā krodhamūrchitā

Translation

Even for that wise Kṣetrapāla there are eight manifested forms. Thus it was accomplished by the boy; she was overcome and stupefied by the swoon of wrath.

Word by Word

• मूर्तयः: manifested forms

• अष्टौ: eight

• च: and

• तस्य अपि: of him also/indeed of that one

• क्षेत्रपालस्य: of Kṣetrapāla (guardian of the sacred field/temple precinct)

• धीमतः: of the wise one

• एवम्: thus/in this manner

• वै: indeed

• तेन: by him

• बालेन: by the boy

• कृता: done/performed

• सा: she/that (female figure)

• क्रोधमूर्छिता: swooning/overpowered by anger

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Kṣetrapāla

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It links Linga-kṣetra (the sacred space of Shiva) with Kṣetrapāla, teaching that worship is not only of the Linga as Pati, but also of the protective order around it—often expressed through eight protective manifestations safeguarding the rite and the devotee.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Shiva-tattva is shown as both transcendent and functionally immanent: the one Pati can assume multiple mūrtis for kṣetra-rakṣaṇa (protection of sacred order). The reference to overpowering wrath also reflects Rudra’s corrective force that dissolves adharmic obstruction.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse points to kṣetrapāla-upāsanā—propitiating the guardian before/alongside Linga-pūjā—so the sādhaka (pashu) can perform worship without pasha-like obstructions; it also implies the Pāśupata emphasis on disciplined conduct within a sanctified space.