Shloka 17
सूर्यरथ-रचना, ध्रुव-प्रेरणा, मास-गणाः च
Jyotish-chakra: Surya’s Motion and Monthly Retinues
सरथो ऽधिष्ठितो देवैर् आदित्यैर्मुनिभिस् तथा गन्धर्वैरप्सरोभिश् च ग्रामणीसर्पराक्षसैः
saratho 'dhiṣṭhito devair ādityairmunibhis tathā gandharvairapsarobhiś ca grāmaṇīsarparākṣasaiḥ
That chariot was mounted and attended by the Devas—by the Ādityas and the sages alike—together with Gandharvas and Apsarases, and also by the leaders of hosts, the Nāgas, and the Rākṣasas.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya; contextual)
FAQs
It portrays a universal convergence of beings—Devas, sages, celestial artists, Nāgas, and Rākṣasas—implying that the Linga’s sovereignty (as Pati) draws all orders of existence into reverent alignment, a key motif behind public processions, consecrations, and collective Linga-pūjā.
By showing every class of being attending a single sacred movement, the verse reflects Shiva-tattva as the supreme integrator: Pati who harmonizes mutually opposed forces (deva and rākṣasa, serpent and sage) beyond pasha-bound divisions, indicating his transcendence and lordship over all realms.
The imagery supports the purāṇic model of śiva-yātrā and utsava (processional worship) and, at a yogic level, suggests saṅgati—bringing all faculties and ‘inner hosts’ under one focus—mirroring Pāśupata orientation where the pashu (individual self) turns toward Pati through unified devotion.