Shloka 16

महाबलमाहात्म्यवर्णनम् (Mahābala Māhātmya-varṇanam) — “Account of the Greatness of Mahābala (and Western Sacred Liṅgas)”

Devanagari script

एते विमानगतयो देवाश्च सह पार्षदैः । पूर्वद्वारं निषेवन्ते तस्य वै प्रीतिकारणात्

Transliteration

ete vimānagatayo devāśca saha pārṣadaiḥ | pūrvadvāraṃ niṣevante tasya vai prītikāraṇāt

Translation

These gods, seated in their celestial vimānas and accompanied by their attendants, continually resort to the eastern gateway, for it is indeed a cause of great delight to Him (Lord Śiva).

Word by Word

• एते: these
• एते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्ता

• विमानगतयः: situated in aerial chariots
• विमानगतयः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विमान-गत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण (those who have gone into/are in aerial cars)

• देवाः: gods
• देवाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्ता

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय-बोधक

• सह: together with
• सह: Sahartha (सहार्थ/सहयोग)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सह (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; सह-योगे तृतीया (with + instrumental)

• पार्षदैः: with attendants
• पार्षदैः: Sahartha (सहार्थ/सहयोग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्षद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन; सह-सम्बन्धे करण/सहयोग

• पूर्वद्वारम्: the eastern gate
• पूर्वद्वारम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूर्व-द्वार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्म

• निषेवन्ते: they attend; they resort to
• निषेवन्ते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि+√सेव् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; आत्मनेपद

• तस्य: of him/that
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी विभक्ति, एकवचन; सम्बन्ध (genitive)

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निश्चयार्थक-निपात (emphatic particle)

• प्रीतिकारणात्: because of (his) pleasure; as the cause of delight
• प्रीतिकारणात्: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रीति-कारण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी विभक्ति, एकवचन; हेतु/अपादान (because of)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: The verse depicts devas approaching a sacred ‘gateway’ (dvāra) of Śiva’s abode/maṇḍala; it is a cosmographic honor-guard motif rather than a specific Jyotirliṅga origin episode.

Significance: Darśana of Śiva’s ‘eastern gate’ symbolizes auspicious entry (pūrvābhimukhatā) and readiness for grace; the devas’ delight models the devotee’s orientation toward Śiva.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Devas

FAQs

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

The verse highlights bhakti expressed through reverent approach—Devas repeatedly honor a sacred entrance because such humble, orderly devotion is said to please Lord Shiva, the Pati who grants grace to devotees.

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

By emphasizing a specific gateway and the Devas’ regular attendance, the text reflects Saguna worship—approaching Shiva’s holy abode/linga with prescribed reverence, where physical acts of devotion become vehicles for receiving Shiva’s anugraha (grace).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is disciplined temple approach and regular darśana: enter with purity and devotion, perform pradakṣiṇā and mental japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to cultivate the attitude that pleases Shiva.